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SCHENECTADY 

ANCIENT AND MODERN 

A Complete and Connected History of Schenectady 

from the Granting of the First Patent 

in 1661 to IQ14 



PRESENTING ALSO MANY HISTORIC PICTURES AND 
PORTRAITS OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN CON- 
SPICUOUS FIGURES IN ITS HISTORY. 



By JOEL HENRY MONROE 



NINETEEN HUNDRED AND FOURTEEN 






Copyright 1914 
By Joel H. Monroe 



MAY 15 1914 



PRESS OF W. F. HUMPHREY, GEHEVA, 



(Q'CI,A3T190 



OTHER HISTORICAL WORKS IN NEW YORK 

Pulaski, Past and Present. 

Cazenovia Through a Hundred and Twenty Years. 
A Century and a Quarter of History — Geneva. 
Through Eleven Decades of History — Watertown. 
Historical Records of a Hundred and Twenty Years — 
Auburn. 



PREFACE 

THERE is no place in the State of New York that has a 
more interesting history than that of Schenectady. 
It is intense with convulsion, tragedy and pathos. 
The first one hundred and twenty years of its existence, 
covering the period from 1662 to the close of the War for 
Independence in 1782, were years of struggles, hardships 
and a constant fight for self-preservation; they were years 
too of heart-breaking trouble and grievous disasters. The 
years since have also been marked by many vicissitudes 
and changes in condition. 

The story has previously been told in various forms and 
with greater or less extent of detail. The groundwork of 
the history, that is to say the readily accessible data 
covering the first century and a half of Schenectady's life, 
is due to the earnest and painstaking research work of 
Prof. Jonathan Pearson of Union College. In this he 
rendered to the city and to subsequent writers of its history 
an inestimable service, for which the writer of the present 
work gratefully acknowledges his obligation. 

For a great portion of the material for the making of a 
connected history since that period, however, the writer 
has had to rely mainly on available documents and the 
files of old newspapers. With these combined sources of 
information, together vnth various others, the writer 
trusts that he has presented herein a complete and interest- 
ing history of Schenectady from its foundation to 1914. 

Schenectady, N. Y., May 1st, 1914. 



INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS 

The Battcau 77 ' Mohawk Bank 177 

The Durham 77' Old Academy 145 ^ 

Burning of Schenectady. . . 49^Script" 85 ^ 

Early Dutch Church 29 "^S. H. Sexton 189 V' 

Dutch Church of 1734 57 Mlev. Dr. Payne 109^ 

Interior Dutch Church .... 65 ^ Rosa house 73 "^ 

DcGraff House 113^Rev. Dr. Williams 81 t^ 

Rev. H. G. Day 83"^ Fitzgerald Building 201 ^<^ 

Eliphalet Nott 137 -; Second R. R. Station 169 '^'* 

Glen-Sanders House 93^ The Fort, 1690 41 ^/ 

Bouwlands 25 v/ Presbyterian Church 29 '^ , 

Mohawk Bridge 1 15 \' ^Original Plan of Schenectady 21 v 

Mabie House 69^ Old Union School 149 *^ 

Domine Freeman 37 ^ View Union College, 1830. . 153 • 

College Gymnasium 157^ View of Schenectady, 1830. 129 V^ 

Gen. Electric Company, 1886 277 t/St. George's Church 105»^ 

Gen. Electric Company, 1914 281^^ Yates House, Front st 85/ 

First R. R. Station 161*^ Yates House, Union street. 89 v 

Flood Scene 285 v/ Christopher Yates 97»/' 

College Campus 153 ^Joseph C. Yates 103 ^ 

New County Clerk's Bldg. . 217 /van Curler Tablet 121 ^^ 

Rev. Dr. Backus 241v,/Moses Viney 193 ^' 

Mrs. Uriana Nott 257 / 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 



A 

Ancient Schenectady 21 

Ancient Mohawk Village. . 26 

Allotting of the Lands 47 

Appeal for Relief 57 

After the Burning 99 

Albany Turnpike, The 196 

B 

Brouwer, Philip Hendrickse 37 

Bancker, Gerrit 38 

Bratt, Arent Andries 39 

Borsboom, Peter Jacobse. . 39 

Bratt, Arentse Andries .... 41 

Barhydts, The 44 

Bellvue Reformed Church . . 70 

Baptist Churches 84 

Beaukendal Massacre 106 

Boating on the Mohawk ... 110 

Bridges, early and late 115 

Boyd, James 117 

Broom Com Industry, The . 193 

Banks and Banking 202 

Broderick, Major 228 

Backus, Rev. J. Trumbull . . 270 

Beaukendal Chapter D.A.R. 276 

Barge Canal, The 284 

Baptism, The New 285 

Border Wars 49 

Beck, Caleb 60 

Beal, Moses 60 

Brouwer, Rev. Thomas. ... 69 

Barclay, Rev. Thomas 72 

C 

Coercive Measures by Govern- 
ment ■ 29 

Cobes, Ludovicus 42-116 

Conde, Adam 44 

Clinch, Robert Hotel 60 

Christ Church 75 

Congregational Churches . . 86 

Convention, The 92 

Combs, Alexander 117 



Committee of Safety, 1775. 128 

Continental Soldiers 133 

Civil War, The 138 

City Charter, 1798 163 

City Charter, 1813 162 

City Bank, The 207 

Citizens Trust Co., The 208 

Cholera 1832, The 224 

Clute Foundry, The 227 

Crescent Park 227 

Clute, C. C 247 

Clute, Jacob W 251 

Cuff, "Jim" 274 

County Clerk's Bldg 284 

Cromwell, Jacobus 60 

Clinch, Robert 60 

Clinch, Thos. B 61 

D 

De Graff, Abram 107 

Dale, Sir Thomas 13 

Dutch of New Netherland . . 15 

Dutch Colonization 19 

De Winter, Bastian 38 

De Freeze, Douwe Aukes . . 41 

Duncan, John 140 

Daily Ancient City, First 

Newspaper 189 

Drv Goods History, Some. . 231 

Dav, Rev. Horace G 272 

D. A. R., The 276 

E 

Early Streets 34 

Esseityne, Marten Cornelise 39 

Events 1775-1785 63 

Events leading up to Mas- 
sacre 88 

Early Mails and Stages. . . . 143 

Erie Canal, The 211 

Electric Light Co 239 

Ellis, John 248 

Epochs in Schenectady's 
History 261 



TABLE OF COXTEXTS 



Ellis" Hospital 267 

Eisenmenger. Frederick F . . 2S2 
Elevarlca of R. R. Tracks . . 2S4 

F 

Foster, Prof. John 254 

First Sewer 2S4 

F1.3od 1914. The 2S4 

Fori Orange 12 

Freedom's and Exemption's 

Act 17 

First Deed for Land 24 

First Decade. The 46 

First Trustees 56 

Freeman. Rev. Bamardus . . 66 
First Pres'Dvterian Church. 75 

FLrst M.E. Church SO 

Forts at Schenectady 102 

Ferries. Early 114 

First Meeting of Borough 

<3mcer3 122 

FuZer. Samuel 140 

Free School S}-^tem 152 

Fire Department 160 

Fovirrh Julv Celebration, 

ISOl ...: 170 

FLrst Grist Mill, The 50 

First i annen.- 50 

Firs: Baptist' Church 82 

First Packet-boat Line .... 113 

Firemen. ISOl 176 

Fonda. JeUis 196 

Fire of 1819. The 209 

Featherstoniaugh, Geo. W . 215 
Fourth Julv Celebration, 

1838 ...' 229 

Fire Department 236 

Farmers' Hotel 2.>1 

First Stone Sidewalk 254 

G 

Glen. Ales. Lindsay 36-63 

Givens' Hotel 61 

Glen. Jacob 116 

Glen. Abraham 116 

Groot, Nicholas 117 

Glen, Heruy- 117 

Gazette, The Schenectadv. 192 



Glen-Sanders House 252 

General Electric Companj- . 277 
Glen's Order for Arrest of 

Schermerhom 103 

H 

Hoeck. Benonny Berentse . . 48 

Home of the Friendless .... 204 

Hudson's CofiFee House .... 60 

Hudson, Hemy- 11 

I 

Introduction 11 

Iroquois. The 14 

Inns' of Early Times 59 

Independence Celebration . 134 

Institutions 261 

J 

Jay. John. Letters from. . . . 142 

Judge Court Common Pleas 201 

Jackson. Prof. Isaac W. . . . 258 
License to Van Curler's 

Widow 35 

Last Deed, The 51 

Luthem Churches 87 

Leisler, Jacob 91 

List of People Killed in Mas- 
sacre 1690 97 

Lyceum School. The 148 

Lafayette, Gen.. Visit 211 

Landon. Judson S 233 

Lewis. Prof. Ta^dor 256 

Leisler's Letter to Adam 

Vrooman 92 

M 

Miller Tavern, The Old ... . 62 
Moimt Pleasant Reformed 

Church 70 

Methodist Churches ..80-81-82 

Massacre. The 1690 93 

Mjmderse, Jacobus 117 

M\-ndei^e, R].-nier 118 

Military- Organizations .... 125 

Mitchell. Andrew 141 

Mavor Yates Coat Arms . . . 175 



TABLE OF CONTESTS 



Mayors. 179Sr-1914 \^) 

Masonic Organiza-.icus .... 1S2 

Mohavrk Bank, i he 202 

Mercantile Bank. The 207 

Moha vrk & Hudson R. R . . . 219 

MohaTTk Gas Co 238 

2^Iabie House. The 251 

Mercy Hospital 269 

Moore, Thomas. Irish Poet . 2S1 



N 

Navigation on the Moha^rk 110 

North. William 117 

Note. Dr. Eliohalet 1-56 

Night WatchTne. 1798. ... 167 

Newspai>ers 1;>6 

Nott. Mrs. Uriana 2.>3 

New Baptisms. The 2SS 



Original Plir. 
Original Pr : • 

oidF—.r:. 

0£:v' 



17ri5 L21 



Pat«it. The. 1684 .S3 

Packet Boats on the Mohawk 

...113-223 

Peek. Harmanns 117 

Petiticm for Borough Charter 119 

Paige. Alonzo C 212 

Potter. Piatt 213 

Pearson, Prof. Jonathan ... 231 

Police Department 235 

Parsons. HindsdeU 281 

Periscope, A 283 

Public Improvenents since 

1900 284 

Petition for relief fro~ 

Schermerhom 57 

Q 

Quit Rents .^s 

Queen Fort 104 



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— --^^ A:::i:el iv Firs: 




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166 


Keneirir. .:ie 


187 


Railr^-^i. The Fir^ 


218 


Ro-ey-n. Re-. Dhxrk 


70 


S 






84 


~ 


145 


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148 




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; ■ nign scnooi . . 


152 


aC:tvl798.. 


164 


i:. ^T :— r loiee 


182 


bt. Lre.rir ; Ihiit^r 


1.8^ 


?:. C-^ -.-^'^ r, z.'-^~r 


185 


■-. ^~^- 


1^ 


Cabinet. Tlie . 


190 


- DaZv Union . . 


191 




192 


.e=o- 


■197 




198 


- - 


201 




202 


r--.:.^-:.^^ ~ .^ .:.,r 1 ;^nk 


204 


c;-^ ^ -_ _ ■_ 


: 79 




S:hT— ::^rh — ' r.\ ' "in>e 


43 


• - ■ -- 


205 


Z-ne 206 




221 


Ins. Co 


226 


Waterworks. 


^7 




239 


Street R.R. 






241 


" rtaries 


242 


-. Nicholas .. 


242 


i. IV 


245 


War 


2tO 


m Rev. War.. 


128 


:- ~ v.^- .-n: H;mscs .... 


251 


^:^ T'r 'it'in 


252 



10 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 



Some Changes Wrought in 

60 Years 253 

Sexton, Samuel H 262 

Sanders, John 275 

Schenectada Chap. D. A. R. 276 

Schenectady Public Library 280 
Schenectady High School, 

1908 284 

Schenectady, a Frontier Town 12 

Stuyvesant, Gov. Peter. ... 18 

Settlement of Schenectady . 21 

Survey of the Land 31 

Swart, Teunise Cornelise ... 38 

Schermcrhorn, Ryer 43 

Schenectady Coflee House . 60 

Schaats, Dr. Rynier 64 

Second Reformed Church . . 70 

St. George's Church 71 

St. John's Church 84 

St. Joseph's Church 85 

Scotch Highlanders, The. . . 108 

ShurtlifT, Joseph 117 

Schenectady a Borough .... 119 

Schenectady in 1769 123 

Schenectadv as the Capitol 

Citv ...." 142 

Schools, Early and Late ... 144 

T 

Teller, William 38 

Thaselmaker, Domine 66 

Toll, Karl Hansen 195 

Truax, Dr. Andrew 232 

True Blues 262 

The New Baptism 285 

U 

United New Netherland Co. 14 

Union College 154 

Union, The Daily 191 

Union Nat. Bank 208 

Utica & Schenectady R.R. . 222 

Union, The Young Men's . . 225 

Utilities 237 

V 

Van Twiller, Wouter 17 

Van Curler, Arent 35 

Village, The 31 

Van Curler's letter to Stuy- 
vesant 27 



Van Woggelum, Peter 

Adriance 37 

Van OHnda, Pieter Danielse 39 
Van Slyck, Jacques CorneHse 40 

Van de Bogert, Frans 42 

Van Ditmars, Barentse Jans 42 
Van Eps, Johannes Danielse 42 
Van Velsen, Sweer Teunise. 42 

■* Vrooman, Adam 43 

Van Slyck, Cornelius 

Antonsen 63 

Van Dyck, Dr. Jacobus. ... 64 
Van Slyck, Jacob 117 

-Vrooman, Isaac 117 

Van Voast, Abraham A . . . . 244 

Vale Cemetery 250 

Van Ingen, Abraham 117 

Viney, Moses 273 

^Vrooman, Lawrence 117 

Veeder, Symon Volkertse . . 37 
Van Antwerp, Daniel L. . . . 117 

Van Dyck, Col 130 

Van Slyck, Harmanus 117 

Van Slycks' Inn 59 

Veeder, John F. D 117 

Veeder, Gerrit S 118 

Van Eps Ferry 180 

Van Curler, Widow of Arent 60 

Vrooman, Adam 92 

Vrooman, Isaac I P. l .^ 122 

W 

West India Company, The 

Dutch 16 

Wemp, Jan Barteuse 40 

Washington, Gen. Geo. 135-136 

War of 1812, The 136 

Wards of the City, 1798 .... 165 
Westinghouse Co., The .... 279 

Y 

Young, John 117 

Yates, Joseph C 194-211 

Yates, Robert 117 

Yates, Henry 118 

Yanses, The 199 

Yates house, Abram 252 

Yates house, Jos. C 252 

Young Men's Christian Assn.265 

Yates, Isaac 281 

Yates, Christopher 131 

Y. W. C. A 282 




Schenectady — Ancient and 
Modern 

(H AFTER I 

THE FOREGROUND 

THE beginning of the seventeenth century 
England, France, Spain and Holland, unin- 
vited, stood at the door of the aborigines of 
North America, not asking permission to 
^ enter but, on the contrary, announcing by 

both manner and action that, by right of discovery, they 
had come to take possession of the country'. These invad- 
ing powers, meanwhile, were as antagonistic to one another 
in the enterprise as they were indifferent and disregardful 
of the rights of the native proprietors. Each claimed all 
the country east of the Mississippi Valley and took 
measures to get possession of it. To attain this end and 
to expel their rivals they early sought alliance with the 
Indians, offering them, as value received, gew-gaws, poor 
whiskey, religion, and arms and ammunition wherewith to 
kill their native enemies. Holland was the smallest of the 
conteniling nations, yet the largest and broadest in the 
matter of equitable dealing and true Christian forbearance 
in these enforced relations with the Indians. 

Henry Hudson's discovery of Manhattan Island, the 
Hudson river and its contiguous territory, together with 
other lands north and south to the Delaware, in 1609, was 
the means of planting the Dutch flag on the North Ameri- 
can Continent and bringing into existence New-Nether- 



12 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

land, as Hudson made his discovery while in the employ of 
the Dutch East India Company. 

The first step in empire building by the Dutch was to 
move the frontier one hundred and fifty miles from the sea- 
board. A few years later the line was pushed a little 
farther westward, and Schenectady took her place as the 
frontier settlement. There are no frontier towns in the 
United States now, there never will be again, therefore, the 
particular phase of history-making incident to these 
important places is past forever. 

Schenectady, first and all, was one of the settlements of 
this type, and worked out her destiny and made imperish- 
able history as a frontier town. Anent this matter, Ban- 
croft says that "every history must have some fighting 
and bloodshed, else it is unworthy to be regarded as 
history"; and acting up to this proposition, Schenectady 
surely has seen fighting, has been reduced by fire and 
sword, and has had her baptism of blood. 

Although the Dutch had possession in 1609, it was some 
time before a settlement was effected. In 1614 the States- 
General granted to a certain group of Holland merchants 
and their associates a patent securing to them the exclusive 
right of trade along the Hudson from Manhattan north- 
ward and westward to the head waters of the river and 
beyond. Armed with the documents granting to them the 
power to establish in the new world that which appeared 
to have in it the making of a snug little Octopus, the gentle- 
man named in the grant landed at Manhattan the same 
year, sailed up the Hudson river and settled on the present 
site of Albany, where they established a trading post, and 
in 1623 erected Fort Orange. Henry Christisens was the 
first in command of this fort. 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 13 

Now, analagous to this particular move in empire build- 
ing, had the Pilgrim Fathers landed at Manhattan instead 
of at Plymouth, and had they settled the Province of New 
York instead of the Dutch, in what respect would the his- 
tory be changed? The dates of the founding of the two 
colonies were only a little time apart and most of the 
settlers of both colonies had left their home country for 
similar cause, mainly that of religious liberty, while they 
themselves were excessively unchristian in their hyper- 
orthodoxy. Schenectady, to its sorrow, felt the sway of 
this spirit and schism in its early life. 

However, if the handful of Dutchmen thus commissioned 
by the States-General left their native country with the 
thought of establishing a Utopia in New-Netherland, they 
surely made sorry work of the undertaking during the 
succeeding fifty years, as history tells the story. What- 
ever glimmer of a chivalrous life and of the brotherhood of 
man philosophy' they may have brought along with them, 
plainly was early dissipated in the new world of oppor- 
tunity. Nor was there any appreciable improvement in 
the administration of the affairs of the communitj', so far 
as Schenectady's interests were concerned, in the new 
regime under the English, which became eflFective in 1664 
and continued until the declaration of independence. 

William Smith, in his early history of the Province of 
New York, states that, information having reached Sir 
Thomas Dale, then governor of Virginia, that the Dutch 
had presumed to pre-empt English territory, he made 
occasion to have Capt. Argal visit the colony at Fort 
Orange the same year of its settlement and the captain 
chastised the Dutch sharply for their audacity in thus 
trespassing on his sovereign's property. They being weak 
and somewhat timid, at the time promised to submit to the 



14 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

King. Yet the next year the Dutch erected a fort on 
Manhattan Island and also strengthened their small 
fortifications at Fort Orange. For a considerable period 
of time, however, after the settlement at Fort Orange, the 
colonists were practically left alone by the mother country 
to survive or perish. Occasional sailing vessels entered 
the harbor at New Amsterdam and carried away to Hol- 
land the furs and peltries collected both there and at Fort 
Orange. Few came to join the colony, however. 

During this early root-taking period the United New- 
Netherland Company was the controlling force in the 
settlement affairs, as well as in trade; and trade, not the 
upbuilding of the country, was the primary moving idea 
among the early comers, and this spirit prevailed for many 
years. The charter of this company expired in 1618, yet 
this fact in no wise ended its activities in trade, for the fur 
and peltry business which the company had been char- 
tered to carry on, was increasing rapidly among the 
Indians in the vicinity and at more distant points. 

In the meanwhile, there was the matter of reckoning 
with the Indians, for, admittedly, the whites were poachers 
on their domain. The Dutch settlement was at the east- 
ern door of the Iroquois country, and, as the Five Nations, 
they held sway from the Hudson westward to the great 
lakes, and northward to the St. Lawrence river. Many 
other tribes lived across this border in Canada, called New 
France, where the French had established a colony in 1603. 
The French, too, were striving for a footing south of the 
St. LawTence, and, in fact, on westward to the Mississippi. 
The mother country had neglected to take account of this 
element in the country she had invaded. France, how- 
ever, had a workable advantage over the other poachers, 
England, Spain and Holland, in that she imported mis- 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 15 

sionaries to go among the Indians and bring about their 
conversion, and so, under the banner of Christianity, she 
hoped to spread empire. 

In spite of this, however, the EngHsh and the Dutch 
enjoyed to a much greater degree the good graces — what- 
ever they may mean — of the Indians, especially the 
Iroquois, and the Mohawks, the occupants of the imme- 
diate country', were the potential factor in the great 
confederacy. They, by many acts, during the succeeding 
years, demonstrated their steadfast friendship for the 
Dutch. The Dutch early entered into a treaty with the 
Irof|Uois, which the latter lived up to through many years 
with faithfulness and honor. Whatever may be said, 
therefore, in regard to their fickleness and unrighteous 
methods in warfare, the savages, after all, were not without 
some sense of honor. To their disadvantage they had to 
contend with the tricks and so|)histry of both civilization 
and Christianity. 

The Dutch of New-Netherland were not aggressive, 
except in the prosecution of trade ; they were not specially 
assertive, except in the matter of religious faith, and it may 
be said with equal truth that they were at least untrained 
in great movements of progress. With them the process 
of evolution was measured. They had been born and 
reared in a country where momentuous undertakings and 
events took small account of time, and space was the unit 
in solving the life problem. Therefore, from the time they 
landed at Fort Orange, Bever^^•yck, as it was afterwards 
known, they were dominated by the one ambition, which 
was to muzzle trade and make the greatest amount possible 
from their trade privileges with the Indians. This spirit of 
excessive greed choked every impulse of equity and fairness 
and placed a noxious embargo on Schenectady, when the 



16 SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 

place later became a rival in the trade and commerce of the 
new country. 

In the meanwhile, the colony was constantly menaced 
by the warring tribes of Indians, and the French and the 
Indians. The Mohawks, to be sure, were the avowed 
protectors and defenders of the Dutch colony. Yet the 
Mohawks at times were at war with other nations or tribes, 
and also with the French. The Mohawks esteemed the 
English and the Dutch in great measure because it was 
from them they received their whiskey and firearms, and 
no amount of religion urged upon them by the French 
could overbalance these considerations. Had the French 
succeeded, however, in enlisting the aid of the Iroquois 
Confederacy it is quite possible that the Canadian bound- 
ary would have been the Mohawk river instead of the St. 
Lawrence; or again, it might have terminated in the 
complete supremacy of the French instead of the English. 
But the Iroquois resisted the French to the end, conse- 
quently, from early times to 1763, when the French retired 
from the country, there were frequent and bloody wars 
waged between them. 

The English early became a force in the affairs. They 
increased in number much more rapidly than the Dutch 
and assumed a position of power. In order to meet this 
and the antagonism of the Iroquois, the French sought an 
alliance with the other tribes of Indians, and by proselyting 
won some from the Iroquois. In this manner they were 
enabled to carry on wars of conquest and to harass, pillage 
and burn New-Netherland, and through it all Schenectady 
was the chief sufferer. 

The Privileged West-India Company was chartered 
in 1621 and at once began operations at the seaport 
New-Amsterdam, with an auxiliary at Beverwyck. This 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 17 

company was all that its name implied by the word 
"privileged." It was granted despotic power with no 
recourse. It was sovereign civilly and politically and also 
master of the current of trade and finance. The Governor 
and Council smiled complacently upon it and meanwhile 
raked in the stuyvers and guilders as their portion of the 
increment. When Wouter Van Twiller became the first 
governor, or Director, in 1629, he referred to himself, his 
Country and the company in question in the following 
style: "We, director and Council, residing in New 
Netherland, on the Island of ISIanhattan, under the 
government of their highmightinesses, the lords State 
General of the United Netherlands and the privileged 
West-India Company." Van Twiller was succeeded by 
William Kieft in 1636, who, after a service of several years, 
perished in shipwreck on the return voyage to his native 
country. Along with him went down to his death the 
Rev. Everardus Bogardus, husband of Aneke Jans, one of 
the most unique characters in the early history of New- 
Netherland. She died and was buried in Beverwyck in 
1663. 

Upon the assumption of power and control by their 
highmightinesses, the Privileged West-India Company, 
the measures of restraint, repression and prohibition in 
trade lines became positively wolfish. The United New- 
Netherland Company continued as a competitor of the 
new company until 1630, when it ceased active business. 

In June, 1629, the Freedoms and Exemptions act was 
passed by Holland which greatly broadened the scope of 
operations in the New-Netherland country, that is to say, 
it opened the way for the acquisition of great landed 
estates, or manors, as they were styled. These manors 
were granted to certain dignitaries, patroons, after the 



18 SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 

style of the feudal system in vogue in Holland, These 
were located in different parts of the new world posses- 
sions. The Kilian Van Rensselaer estate, known as 
Rensselaer wyck, comprised more than seven hundred 
thousand acres, or the complete area of the present coun- 
ties of Albany, Rensselaer and Saratoga. The act also in 
some degree extended the privileges of trade, although not 
to the extent of diminishing in any degree the monopolistic 
power of the West-India Company. The establishment 
of the Van Rensselaer estate to some extent caused an 
increased influx of settlers to the Beverwyck colony. 

Peter Stuyvesant became governor in 1647, and con- 
tinued until the close of the Dutch regime. He was a 
man of much strength of character, a potential figure in 
the life and affairs of the colony. First of all, however, 
Stuyvesant was faithful to the West-India Company. In 
1652 he established a court at Fort Orange and Beverwyck, 
whose chief function was to foster and protect the interest 
of their highmightiness, the West-India Company. 

Stuyvesant had been a soldier in the service of his native 
country, and a fighting soldier, too, as history puts it down. 
He had lost a leg in the service, in consequence of which he 
had a wooden leg. When Col. Nicoll appeared in the 
harbor of New- Amsterdam (New York) in August, 1664, 
and in the name of his Majesty, the King of England, 
demanded the unconditional surrender of the fort, Stuy- 
vesant burst into a fury of rage. He tore Nicoll's letter 
into bits, stumped around on his wooden leg, swore in 
Dutch, and uttered his defi of the King of England. Yet 
the governor finally surrendered. September 24th, follow- 
ing, Beverwyck capitulated, and its name was then 
changed to that of Albany. 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 19 

When Governor Stuyvesant assumed office there were 
not in all New-Netherland more than three thousand 
population. These were scattered from New- Amsterdam 
along the Hudson to Beverwyck, including also Rensselser- 
wyck. Albany as yet comprised not above a dozen dwel- 
lings with no order, grace or uniformity. In all directions 
outside the settlement there was dense wilderness. 

The fort itself was far from being a formidable affair. 
Within this fort was the little old house constructed of 
boards, two stories high, the entrance to the upper story 
being by means of a ladder through a trap door. This 
upper story constituted the court room and the executive 
chamber of his Excellency Johannes La Montague, Vice- 
Director of New-Netherland. Here also the magistrates 
met and dispensed justice — or shall we say the travesty on 
justice. 

Up to 1640 little had been done in the matter of coloniza- 
tion in the New-Netherland country. While Holland 
earnestly desired the extension of empire by emigration 
and colonization, the Patroons and the West-India Com- 
pany were as determined against it. This persistency on 
their part led to the buying back by the States-General 
most of the great manors that had been granted in various 
sections, Rensselaerwyck alone remaining undisturbed by 
this action. 

The proclamation of 1638, having for its object greater 
colonization and freedom of trade, had only one visible 
effect, that of making every citizen of Beverwyck a trader 
with the Indians, provided he could buy a piece of Duffels 
or a quantity of brandy and beer. It secured to the 
colonists outside Beverwyck, however, no benefit or added 
privileges as settlers and homemakers. At the close of 
Stuyvesant 's career as Governor and also at the end of the 



20 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

Dutch regime in 1664, as a result of the inglorious attempt 
at empire building, the entire population of New-Nether- 
land did not exceed ten thousand. Beverwyck had been 
established fifty years, and during this time had been 
wholly engrossed in the one proposition — that of the fur 
trade. Outside of Rensselaerwyck no movement had been 
made toward the upbuilding of the adjacent country and 
the colonists in Renssela^rwyck were merely the tenants of 
the patroon. In this unhappy condition of affairs a few of 
the colonists united in the founding of Schenectady. 



CHAPTER II 



AXCiEN'T schent:ctady 



^^^^^^JHE founding of Schenectady, while probably 
y//^^^J^. there was absence of such spirit in the under- 
f( F^-."^! taking, signalized a notable movement of 
- ! [)rogress at that time; it was the moving of 
empire westward and the establishing of a 
new frontier toxsTi. Elementally, however, it was a 
motion in the direction of a declaration of independence — 
a motion, that is all, for it was a long time before Schenec- 
tady achieved complete independence. 

Beverw^ck and Rensselaensyck, the latter the great 
manor of Kilian Van Rensseljer, in a measure, had become 
populous. In fact Beverwj-ck, Albany, had grown to a 
place of considerable size, while many of its citizens had 
attained some degree of affluence from the one channel of 
trade, that of furs and peltries. Among some of the 
settlers, meanwhile, there was a growing feeling of unrest 
and discontent. They had left their mother countrj' to 
secure freedom from the patroons, the burden of restric- 
tions and the feudal customs, and their only hop)e, after all, 
was in the erection of a new pioneer town. So, if there was 
anj-^here in the settled region a spark of the spirit of 
altruism, it was present in the elemental idea of the found- 
ing of Schenectady. 

These people desired homes not under the feudal system 
of tenure; they wished to buy and own the land and 
establish their material independence. They could see 
the uninhabited \-irgin land stretching away to the 5kj--line 
in ever}- direction, yet they could not possess any part of it. 
The visible and the in\isible government, the filibusters, 



22 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

were aligned against all projects of individual enterprise. 
Their highmightiness, the Privileged West-India Company 
also was unalterably opposed to the planting of new 
colonies. 

During a great part of the period, up to this time, the 
colonists had been dependent in great measure on the 
mother country for provisions and building materials. 
The people seeking to establish Schenectady wished also to 
buy and till the great flats of the Mohawk Valley. The 
Rensselaer manor had upon it many settlements and agri- 
culture was carried on to a considerable extent. Arent 
Van Curler, a native of Holland, superintended for many 
years this great estate. He was a man of unusual force 
and ability, an influential figure in the affairs of the colony 
and also among both the Indians and the French. Van 
Curler was something of a diplomatist, too, honest in 
public matters, was fearless and withal progressive. He 
was highly esteemed by the Iroquois and often acted as 
ambassador in disputes and in humane matters arising 
between them and the French. The latter also regarded 
him in the highest favor. 

Van Curler was familiar with the surrounding country. 
He had had occasion to make many trips up and down the 
valley during the twenty years past and had taken special 
note of the charming country lying west of Beverwyck. 
He was a born pioneer with constructive inclinations and 
some degree of pride in broader endeavor. So he and 
fourteen associates from various parts of the colony joined 
together in the establishment of Schenectady. 

The contour of the land and the geographical location 
combined to render the site chosen a most eligible one, and 
by reason of its situation on the Mohawk river, it was 
destined to be at the foot of navigation. The broad river 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 23 

skirting the proposed town on the west formed a spacious 
bay, or Binne Kill, which would afford an ample harbor. 
The land, to be sure, was still in possession of the Mohawks; 
it had been their hunting ground and corn ground for many 
centuries. In fact the site of Schenectady, according to 
tradition, was the seat of an Indian capital at some remote 
period. As evidence of this, skulls, skeletons and Indian 
utensils were later dug upon the site of the village. But 
now the Mohawks were willing to sell the land for a 
moderate consideration. They craved other things more 
than they craved land — first among them, whiskey and 
ammunition. In 1630 the Mohawks maintained five great 
castles, one of which was at the mouth of the Mohawk 
river, the second at Schenectady, and three others along 
the valley westward. In 1672 only two of them remained, 
one at Canajoharie and one at Fort Hunter. The atmos- 
phere of civilization already was stifling the savage. 

The promoters of the settlement proceeded to select the 
land they wished to acquire and agreed with the Indians 
upon a price or consideration for its conveyance. This 
purchase having been completed, the crux of the matter 
then was to obtain the consent and approval of the 
Director-General and Council. On the 18th of July, 1661, 
Arent Van Curler, together with his associates, appeared 
before the Council and petitioned for the privilege to pur- 
chase and also for a patent of the land in question. The 
names of the petitioners are here given: Arent Van 
Curler, Philip Hendrickson Brouwer, Alexander Lindsay 
Glen, Swear Teunise Van Velsen, Simon Volckertsen 
Veeder, Peter Adriance Van Woggelum, (also known as 
Sagermakeleck), Gerritt Bancker, William Teller, Bastian 
DeWinter, Peter Jacobse Borsboom, Peter Danielse Van 
Olinda, Jan. Barentse Wemp, Jacques Cornelise Van 



24 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

Slyck; Bastian De Winter appeared also as attorney for 
Catalyn De Vos, widow of Arent Andries Bratt. 

The deed from the Indians was drawn, signed and 
executed on the 27th July, following, as herewith shown. 

DEED FROM THE INDIANS FOR SCHENECTADY AND VICINITY 

"Appeared before me, Johannes La Montagne, ap- 
pointed by the Director-General and Commissary in the 
service of the Privileged West-India Company, at Fort 
Orange and the town of Beverwyck, certain chiefs of the 
Mohawk country, by name Cantuquo, Sonareetsie, 
Aiadane and Sodoorane, proprietors of a certain parcel of 
land called, in Dutch, Groote Vlacte (Great Flats), lying 
behind Fort Orange, between the same and the Mohawk 
country, which they declared to have ceded and trans- 
ported, as they hereby cede and transport, in real and 
actual possession and property, unto Sieur Arent Van 
Curler, the said parcel of land, or Great Flat, called in 
Indian, 'Schonowa,' as it is bounded in its contents and 
circumference, with its trees and streams, for a certain 
number of cargoes, wherein the cedents acknowledge to 
have received satisfaction; renouncing, now and forever, 
all property and claim which they hereto have had in the 
aforesaid parcel of land, promising to free the same from all 
claims, which other Indians might have thereon. Done in 
Fort Orange, the 27th July, Anno 1661, in presence of 
Martin Mourisse and William Montagne, thereunto 
requested in presence of me. 

"La Montagne, 
"Vice-Director and Commissary over the Fortress Orange." 

The mark of Cantuquo to the above instrument was a 
bear; that of Aiadans, a turtle, and of Sonareetsie, a wolf. 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 25 

denoting the tribe or family to which each belonged. The 
true name of the witness to this instrument, who signed as 
Martin Mourusse, was Martin Maurice Van Slyck, 
brother of Jacques Cornelise Van Slyck, both subse- 
quently proprietors, and among the first original settlers of 
Schenectady. The mother of both was a Mohawk chief- 
tain's daughter. They were the children of Cornelise 
Antonisen Van Slyck, the great Indiati interpreter. They 
were born at the principal Mohawk castle at Canajoharie. 
Jacques was born about 1640, and INlartin a year or two 
later. 

The petition, bearing the most oppressive conditions, as 
will be seen herein, was granted July 27, and here was 
staged a drama — the patent wrangle — that held the 
boards through a period of one hundred and thirty-seven 
years, or until 1798. It probably has no parallel in the 
history of settlements and town building in the United 
States. The distress, the loss and the heart-burning 
trouble from the various sources attending this initial 
undertaking in independent building and being in the 
little local colony constitutes a tragic, yet droll chapter 
in the history. 

In the matter of selling lands the Indians themselves 
were not at all averse to tricks and double dealing. This 
particular quirk, probably unlooked for in a savage, was 
the cause of much annoyance in many instances. They 
had, for example, no scruples against selling the same plat 
of land to as many different purchasers as cared to possess 
it, and would accept payment therefor from each. Thus 
many disputes arose and final adjustments had to be 
made. Another puzzling problem was the determination 
of the acreage. The method of survey was to step off the 
land or measure it with a rope, a harness rein or a pole, 



26 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

and which party to the transaction got the best or the 
worst of it by this process was left to the skill of a later day 
to determine. 

Nor was the nomenclature of proper names among the 
Dutch in a much more advanced stage of evolution than 
that obtaining among the Indians. The Dutchman, as a 
rule, had but one name which, in many instances, was 
added to or modified by some particular circumstance, the 
occupation of himself, or his father, or his birthplace. This 
crude system, however, soon passed away and was suc- 
ceeded by more orderly forms. 

The ancient Mohawk village which occupied the site of 
Schenectady was of unusual importance as a part of the 
Iroquois country. It was the eastern door, or entrance, to 
their great domain, and Schenectady, occupying the same 
site, was at the gateway to the western country, also at the 
foot of navigation on the Mohawk river. This was the 
chief factor in establishing Schenectady's commercial 
prominence and prestige through the long period of years 
up to the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825. The name of 
the ancient Mohawk village was Connochariguharie and 
this name is so entered in the land transfers by the 
Mohawks to the early Dutch settlers. 

The settlement of Schenectady, as history places it, 
dates from the concerted action of Van Curler and his 
associates, in 1661-1662, whereas the fact is fairly well 
established that the ground was occupied by temporary 
settlers at least back as early as 1614, which, had they 
remained, would make Schenectady co-existent with 
Albany. Bui in view of the fact that these previous settle- 
ments never took concrete form they are passed over as 
having no part in the history. 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 27 

Van Curler took up the matter of the settlement of 
Schenectady personally and by letter to Governor Stuy- 
vesant in the summer of 1661. This letter was an appeal 
for permission to settle on the Great Flats stretching along 
the river westward from the proposed village. The letter, 
like all the communications to the authorities, was very 
simple and suppliant, having also a verbiage of words. 
The letter bearing the date of June 18, 1661, follows: 

"Right Honorable Sir, 
"My Lord. 

"When last at Manhatans I informed your honor that 
there were some friends and well wishers, who were well 
inclined with your Honor's knowledge and approbation to 
take possession of and till the Groote Vlachte well kno^vTi 
to your worship; whereto six or eight families are already 
inclined, and for which your Honor promised me a warrant 
authorising us to purchase said lands, but by reason of 
your Honor's daily occupations nothing came of it. So 
then your Honor promised to send it later but I am per- 
suaded the daily cares of your Honor's government have 
driven it from your Honor's remembrance. 

"Truly the way is now open, the savages being inclined 
to abandon the land for a moderate price, the more so as 
trade is so slack and meagre. Hence it is the wish of our 
friends to dispatch the bearer of this, Philip Hendrickse 
Brouwer, to refresh your Honor's remembrance, for as 
much as it is high time, (if your Honor please) that the 
people provide themselves with hay and fodder for their 
beasts and like to lay out the road thither. 

"Please not, your Honor, distrust the people as is 
generally done here, by the common folks, nor doubt that 
one loaf will last till another be gained. 



28 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

"So then it will be better to provide betimes, to seize 
good fortune, for afterwards it may be too late. Doubt- 
less as your Honor is likewise a lover of agriculture, your 
Honor will yield to the just request of the people; the 
money for the purchase of the aforesaid land they them- 
selves will furnish temporarily and until it shall be other- 
wise ordered by your Honor. 

"Finally I pray your Honor to be pleased to favor the 
people's good intention so far as possible, and conclude by 
commending your Honor to God's grace with the wish for a 
long and happy administration, and further I remain ever 

Sir 
Your Honor's 

most humble 
Servant, 
Rensselserwyck, A. Van Curlek. 

The 18th June, 1661. 
P. S. If your Honor falls short three or four Muds of 
oats as feed for your Honor's horses, please command me 
to supply your Honor with the same from my small store. 

Your Honor's servant, 

A. V. Curler." 

The postscript to this letter indicates clearly that Van 
Curler was wise to the graft proclivities of the Governor. 

One of the first conditions imposed on these would-be 
land owners and town builders was that, after efi'ecting a 
purchase of the land as desired, they transfer the same to 
the Director-General and Council as representatives of the 
Lord's Directory of the Privileged West-India Company. 
As a palliative for the sting it was stipulated further that 
whatever sum was paid by them for said lands would be 
returned sometime, or be discounted to them against the 
tenth. 




THE FIRST CHURCH EDIFICE OF THE 
PRESBYTERIANS OF SCHENACTADY 




THE DUTCH CHURCH, 1703 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 29 

In addition to the purchase privilege sought, they had 
asked that the lands be surveyed and allotted amongst the 
associated settlers. But no action was taken in the matter 
and finally on the sixth day of April, 1662, Van Curler 
addressed another letter to the Director-General and 
Council, stating, that in pursuance of the resolution passed 
by their Honors the previous July, he and his associates 
had purchased and taken possession of the Great Flats and 
were then engaged in constructing houses, mills and other 
buildings. 

The communication brought out added evidence of the 
malevolence of the West-India Company and his Excel- 
lency, the Governor and the Council. The answer was 
that, "Before the requested settlement can be formed and 
the land surveyed, the persons inclined to establish them- 
selves there ought to number at least twenty families and 
communicate their names at the office of the Secretary of 
the Director-General and Council and further to engage 
and promise not to trade with the savages." The settlers 
were then privileged to apply themselves to agriculture 
but were prohibited from trade detrimental to the Priv- 
ileged West-India Company. This was supplemented and 
made more coercive, so the great powers thought, by requir- 
ing each member of the settlement to sign and execute an 
agreement to the effect that he would not "trade in any 
manner under any pretext whatever, with the savages, 
either directly or indirectly." The penalty for violation 
of this agreement was, for the first offense, fifty beavers, 
second offense, one hundred beavers, and for the third 
offense the "forfeiture of his solicited or acquired lands on 
the aforesaid Plains." 

To this latter the settlers made reply that they were 
willing to obey the noble West-India Company and the 



30 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

Supreme Magistrates, to pay all their taxes and not other- 
wise to go contrary to the published orders, but begged to 
be treated not less considerately than other subjects. 
Van Curler, however, urged the signing of the very lengthy 
"Indenture" thinking by doing so with a certain mental 
reservation it would not prohibit them in future from 
prosecuting trade as opi)ort unity presented. 

This matter of trade with the Indians, as was fore- 
ordained, early became more or less active among the 
residents of Schenectady and naturally aroused resent- 
ment and measures for its absolute prohibition and also for 
the punishment of those engaged therein. Sheriffs, there- 
fore, were sent from Albany to search houses, to seize all 
goods found and to arrest those suspected of this, so 
declared, illicit business. Citizens of Schenectady, follow- 
ing these raids, were haled before the magistrates at Albany 
who never failed, from their viewpoint, in making the 
punishment fit the crime. Beverwyck, or Albany, was 
swarming with brokers, bos-loopers, traders who had the 
countenance of the powers, because they were a part of the 
system— the system that held sway in the colony for fifty 
years with practically no betterments, except for the 
privileged few. 

The Indian name, Schenectady, was early adopted for 
the new to\vm because of what it stood for or signified, 
namely, "place beyond the pine plains." As the plains 
lay between Albany and Schenectady, it applied to that 
place or to any other place on the thither side of the coun- 
try mentioned. Originally there were many modes or 
forms in spelling the word, but it finally crystalized into 
Schenectady. 

It was not until 1664 that Governor Stuy vesant, respond- 
ing to the many appeals, took favorable action in the mat- 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 31 

ter of having the lands at Schenectady surveyed and 
apportioned among the settlers. In pursuance of this 
Jacques Cartelyou, the sworn surveyor, was sent from 
New-Amsterdam to "lay out the aforesaid lands in the 
best manner possible and for the best accommodation for 
those interested therein." Cartelyou together with Com- 
missary^ LaMontagne were appointed a court of equity in 
the matter of the division of the land, the Director-General 
and Council being the final court of adjustment. 

The ancient to^Tishij) of Schenectady embraced one 
hundred and twenty -eight scjuare miles, sixteen miles 
extending eastward and westward along the river and eight 
miles wide, or four miles on either side of the Mohawk. 
Within ten years from the date of the settlement all the 
flat lands were taken up and were in great part under culti- 
vation. In the purchase of some of these lands it is 
recorded the Indians "acknowledge to have thankfully 
received the remainder of the sewant (tubs of beer and 
gunpowder) according to the tenor of the contract." 
Oftentimes the consideration was an "anker of good 
beer" or a "rundlet of brandy." 

THE VILLAGE 

The land purchased by Arent Van Curler in 1661 and 
comprising the first patent was divided among the fifteen 
settlers or proprietors. They were all Dutch except 
Alexander Lindsay Glen, who was a Scotchman. Glen 
was a man of considerable means, a leader and a man of 
influence. He came to New-Netherland from Holland, 
having been a refugee from Scotland to that country several 
years earlier. He had secured, in 1655, a patent for a large 
tract of land situated on the north side of the Mohawk 
river, and on the shore of the river, opposite the present 



32 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

city, he erected, in 1658, a very large and pretentious 
house for those times. This house served the double pur- 
pose of a home, a fortress and a refuge for many until 1713, 
when it was torn down and the present Glen or Sanders 
mansion was erected on the bluff a little farther removed 
from the river. Glen bestowed upon that section of the 
country the name of "Scotia," in remembrance of his 
native countrj^ and it still bears the name. 

The village as first established embraced the area of four 
squares, or blocks, laid out with uniformity, each having 
four hundred feet frontage. Each of these squares was 
divided into four lots thus giving each building lot a front- 
age of two hundred feet and an equal depth. To each of 
the proprietors was apportioned one of these lots. Besides 
this each was allotted a farm, or bouwrie, on the Great 
Flat, a pasture ground east of the village and fourth, a 
garden lot on the lowland lying west of Mill Creek and 
extending toward the Binne Kil. 

The village extended from Front street along Washing- 
ton Avenue south to State Street (Alban^- Path) on the 
south, and from Washington Avenue along Front Street 
east to Ferry Street, thence to State Street. This area was 
surrounded by stockades or palisades, ten feet high. 
These were constructed of logs flattened on two sides and 
set firmly in the earth close together. They were sharp- 
ened to a point at the top so as to prevent scaling by an 
invading enemy. They were also bullet proof. There 
were two entrances to the enclosure, gates with strong iron 
fastenings. The main gate was located at the corner of 
Church and Front Streets, and the second was on State 
Street near Church. In the northwest corner of the 
palisades was the fort, an unpretentious affair, yet ade- 
quate for protection when properly manned. 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 33 

The situation of the new town perforce rendered it a 
dangerous one. The western horizon of civiHzation 
dropped down at its border line and beyond this no white 
man had yet settled. The pahsades, therefore, were as 
essential as the dwelling. However, to strike at Schenec- 
tady, or Albany for that matter, an invading enemy must 
pass the territorial line of the ]Mohawks, yet this fre- 
quently occurred between the date of the settlement and 
17G3. \ 

It was a typical Dutch town in mode of construction, 
style, manners and customs. It was a Holland town 
dropped down in the wilds of America. The houses 
mostly were one and a half stories ^vith scalloped gables 
fronting toward the street, while each of these had a little 
covered porch. The Washington avenue of to-day was 
at the beginning Handlers, or Traders street, and so con- 
tinued until the burning of Schenectady in 1690, when the 
name was changed to Lion street. After the close of the 
war of the Revolution Lion street became Washington 
street, and later Washington avenue, Handlers street in 
the early times was the main business thoroughfare of the 
town. Besides dwellings it contained many stores and 
mercantile houses of various kinds. The street ran near 
the main Binne Kil, the harbor, which for a long period of 
time was a scene of activity in ship commerce, a matter 
which will be taken up in detail later on. 

Front street still bears its original name. It was prob- 
ably so named because it marked the northerly line of the 
village and ran parallel with the river. This also lead into 
the Niskayuna Road. Ferry street, as at present, led to 
the river bank where the boats landed and passage was 
made back and forth across the river. Church street, so 
far as records reveal, was so named at the beginning, 



34 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

though the church was not built on it until later. Union 
street in early times was Niskayuna, so named in honor 
of the early Niskayuna settlement to the north. State 
street was originally Albany Path. After the massacre 
of 1690 it was called Martyrs street on account of the 
great number that were killed in that section of the town. 
Finally it was changed to State street as at present. 

In a little while after the settlement the population 
had so increased that building lots were assigned along 
Albany Path, those being mostly on the south side of the 
highway. Soon also the large house lots within the 
palisades were divided to afford building sites for the new- 
comers. For a considerable time, however, after the 
settlement Union street was not opened east of Ferry. 

The early settlers, the makers and builders of Schenec- 
tady, form an interesting group of people, pioneers, 
honest as a whole, hardy, industrious, frugal and having 
withal high ideals of Christian life and moral rectitude. 
Most of them were Dutch, Dutch in every fibre of their 
being. Therefore, being Dutch they builded a Dutch 
town after the Dutch style with a Dutch atmosphere and 
their own code of social ethics. Their chief occupation was 
that of a farmer, yet many of them became merchants, 
boat builders and active in shipping and the river com- 
merce of the early times. 

The original proprietors, the founders of the village, 
form a select galaxy, therefore, in the mention herewith of 
some of the early settlers this particular group is taken up 
first. 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 35 

ORIGINAL SETTLERS 

Probably the foremost among these was Arent Van 
Curler, because he was the leader, the prime figure in the 
movement that put Schenectady on the map. He was a 
man of mature years at the time he undertook the founding 
of Schenectady. As early as 1630 he was Superintendent 
of the Rensseterwyck Colony and continued in this posi- 
tion until 1646. Meanwhile he served also as secretary 
of the colony; besides being interested and active in other 
matters pertaining to the general welfare of not alone the 
white settlers but the Mohawks as well. On account of 
his manj' acts of kindness and good friendship the Mohawks 
held Van Curler in very high esteem, and as a token of 
honor, after his death, they bestowed upon Schenectady 
the name of "Carlear" and ajjplied the same title also to 
the governors of the Province. 

In 1643 Van Curler married iVntonia Slaaghboom, widow 
of Jonas Bronck. In the spring of 1662 they, together 
with the proprietors, settled in the new Schenectady. 
Van Curler was drowned in Lake Champlain in July, 1667, 
while on his way to Quebec, having been invited there by 
De Tracy, who was then Governor of Canada, to visit 
him on public matters. 

The Van Curler residence was at the corner of Union 
and Church streets where the Schenectady Academy was 
later located. In 1672 Governor Lovelace, out of regard 
for Van Curler's public service, granted to his widow an 
exclusive license to sell liquors to the Indians, intending 
by this to put a stop to the bickering and dispute then 
going on between the other two tapsters in the town, 
namely, Cornelis Cornelise Viele and Acques Cornelise 
Van Slyck. Herewith is the license granted by the 
governor. 



36 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

"Upon ye request of Antonia Van Curler of Schanech- 
tade presented to his Honor ye Governor that having not 
long since received a very great losse by fire, there may for 
her rehefe be so farr indulged as to liave Hcense to sell some 
Rumm to ye Indyans, as also some quantity of Powder and 
Lead ; the premises being taken into serious consideration, 
It is ordered that in regard to the very great loss and 
damage sustayned by the said Antonia Van Curler in 
having her House, Barnes and corne destroyed as by her 
it is set forth, as also the Losse of her Husband Arent Van 
Curler while he was employed in his Majesty's Public 
Service, Shee, the said Antonia his widow shall have free 
Lyberty and License for ye space antl term of one year and 
two months after the date hereof; That is to say, from the 
first day of April next until the 29th day of May which 
shall be in the yeare of Our Lord 1674, to sell and dispose 
of to the Indyans or others in and about Schanechtade in 
Rumme one hundred Anckers and in Lead to the value of 
two hundred Beavers or 1000 weight; But for Powder in 
this conjuncture of time during the Warr. Its thought 
inconvient that Extraordinary Lyberty should be granted 
therein." 

By order, etc. 

Van Curler's widow died early in 1676, her will being 
probated in New York. They left no children. 

Alexander Lindsay Glen was in many respects as 
prominent in the community as Van Curler. He was a 
different type of man. Glen was a Scotchman who, 
sometime prior to 1633, was a refugee to Holland. In the 
year mentioned he emigrated to New-Netherland and 
entered the employ of the West-India Company on the 
Delaware River. Subsequent to his service he was 
for twenty years a trader in Beverwyck. He was a 




DOMINE FREEMAN 
Pastor Dutch Church, 1703 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 37 

business man; he owned real estate in many localities 
and accumulated a comfortable fortune. As has 
been stated on a preceding page of this work, Glen, 
in 16.55, received from the IMohawks a grant of a 
large tract of land on the north side of the ^lohawk river 
opposite where in 1658 he erected a house of great propor- 
tions for that time. Near the site of this original house 
was built in 1713 the present Sanders mansion, now one 
of the oldest houses in the Mohawk Valley. He became 
one of the original proprietors at the time of the building 
of Schenectady. His village lot was on the West side 
of Washington avenue adjoining the Page residence on 
the north. Glen married Catalyn Dongan. They had 
three sons, Jacob, Sander and Johannes. He died in 1085 
and his wife in 1684. 

Philip Hendrickse Brouwer settled first in Beverwyck 
about 1655. He ran a brewery and had a mill house in 
the \'illage, besides owning other real estate. Brouwer 
joined the other members of the Schenectady Colony 
early in 1662. His house lot was situated on the north 
corner of State and Church streets. Brouwer died in 
1664 and his village lot passed to Cornelis Van Ness. 

Simon Volckertse Veeder, in early life was a sailor on a 
Dutch vessel. He settled in New- Amsterdam (New York) 
in 1652, two years later moving to Beverwyck, where he 
became possessed of considerable real estate. His lot in 
Schenectady was at the north corner of State and Ferry 
streets. He also had his farm on the bouwland. He left 
five sons and three daughters. Some of the descendants 
of the Veeders are now living. 

Pieter Adriance Soegemakelyk, or Van Woggelum, 
was an inn keeper in Beverwyck. While he became one 
of the first proprietors of Schenectady, it seems he never 



38 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

was a resident. He was allotted the building site at the 
corner of Union and Church streets and sold it in 1670 to 
Helmes Otten of Albany. The property finally passed to 
Ryer Schermerhorn who married the latter's widow. 

Tuenise Cornelise Swart, with his brother Frederick, 
was one of the first settlers, having a residence at the 
corner of State and Church where he lived until his death. 
The residence afterwards became the property of Jacob 
Meese Vrooman, who married Swart 's widow. 

Bastian De Winter, another proprietor, was a native of 
Middleburgh, Holland. He emigrated to Albany in 1654 
and joined the Schenectady Colony in the spring of 1662. 
His village residence was on the south corner of Church 
and Union Streets. He sold his village property and also 
his farm in 1670. He died in 1678 leaving no heirs. 

William Teller, although one of the proprietors and one 
of the petitioners for the first patent, never became a 
resident of Schenectady. His village lot was at the 
northwest corner of W^ashington and Front streets. He 
settled in Beverwyck in 1639 where he continued to reside 
until 1692. Mr. Teller held many important posts in 
Beverwyck and from 1684 until his death in New York in 
1701, he was one of the five trustees of the patent out of 
which grew so much trouble and litigation. He was a 
native of Holland, a successful business man of good 
character. In 1700 he conveyed his Schenectady house 
lot to his son, Johannes. 

Gerrit Bancker was another of the first proprietors who 
never became a resident of Schenectady. He emigrated 
from Amsterdam, Holland, in 1655 and resided two years 
in New-Amsterdam (New York) then becoming a resident 
of Beverwyck where he resided until his death in February, 
1691 . His village lot was at the north quarter of the square 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 39 

bounded by Union, State, Washington and Church streets. 
The lot became the property of Evert, Gerrit Banker's 
son. In 1702 Evert sold the lot to Cornelise Swits. 

Arent Andriese Bratt signed the petition for the first 
land patent in 1661 and became one of the original pro- 
prietors. He died, however, about the time the settlement 
began early in 1662, leaving his property" to his wife, 
Catalyn De Vos, and his six children. 

Pieter Jacobse Borsboom was a resident of Beverwyck 
from 1639 to the time of the settlement of Schenectady. 
He became one of the fifteen proprietors. His home was 
situated on the south corner of Washington avenue and 
Front street. He died in 1686 leaving one son and three 
daughters. Anna married Pieterse Mebie and another, 
Martie, became the wife of Hendreck Brouwer. The son, 
Cornelis, died young. 

Marten Cornelise Esselstyn was a native of the City of 
Ysselteyn, Holland. He was one of the first settlers in 
Schenectady, although he resided in the town only a few 
years. His house seems to have been on his bouwrie 
outside the village. He left one son, Cornelis Martense. 

The thirteenth of the first settlers was Pieter Danielse 
Van Olinda who was a tailor and worked at that trade in 
Beverwyck for several years prior to settling in Sche- 
nectady. His house was on the south side of Union street 
a little west of Ferry. Olinda was a young man when 
he settled in Schenectady. He married Hilletje Cornelise 
Van Slyck, sister of Jacques Cornehse Van Slyck, she 
being a half-breed Indian. Through this marriage Van 
Olinda and his w4fe received from the Mohawks a grant 
of a large amount of valuable land. Hilletje Van Olinda 
was a bright woman, and by reason of this and her famili- 
arity with the Indian language, she was for many years 



40 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

employed as the Provincial interpreter. Although 
brought up among the Mohawks, she, through the in- 
fluence of the whites had received a small amount of 
education. She died February 10, 1705, and her husband 
in 1715. 

Jan Barentse Wemp (later Wemple) came from Holland 
to Beverwyck in 1644 or 1645 and accumulated some 
property there and in Renssekierwyck. He was the 
fourteenth signer of the application for the first patent. 
The house lot apportioned to him was on the west side 
of Washington avenue north of Front street and extended 
westward to the river. Governor Stuyvesant granted to 
him and Jacques Cornelise Van Slyck a patent for the 
great island afterwards known as Van Slyck 's Island. 

Wemp died soon after the first patent was granted, his 
widow later marrying Sweer Teunise Van Velsen. There 
were six children of the first marriage, three sons and 
three daughters. There are some descendants of the 
original Wemp, or Wemple, now living. 

The last in the list of the first settlers was Jacques 
Cornelise Van Slyck. His father. Marten Van Slyck, 
early in the colonial history, married an Indian wife and 
lived among the Mohawks at Canajoharie. Jacques 
Cornelise was born there about 1640. His Indian name 
was Itsychoquachka. Jacques Cornelise married Grietje, 
daughter of Harmen Janse Ryckman, of Albany, Van 
Slyck died about 1690 and his widow soon thereafter 
married Adam Vrooman, one of the heroes of the massacre 
of 1690. In 1671 Van Slyck was one of the licensed 
tapsters of the village. His village lot was on Washington 
avenue at the corner of what is now known as Cucumber 
alley. Through the marriage of Jacques Cornelise and 
his brothers and sisters to members of the white race there 



SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 41 

was an infusion of Indian blood in some of the citizens in 
the generations following. 

OTHER EARLY SETTLERS OF NOTE 

Douwe Aukes De Freeze was a figure of considerable 
importance in the life and affairs of the community during 
the early years. He was a young man when he settled in 
Schenectady soon after 1G63. He kept an inn, or tavern, 
and whether he was the partner of Cornelise Viele or his 
successor is not kno^sai. The inn was located at the corner 
State street and Mill lane, near the first church erected in 
the village. Douwe Aukes' inn apparently was the 
herding place of the villagers and the recognized center 
of festivities, for it is said that high carnival was or had 
been in action there the night of the massacre in 1690, 
which in some degree may have caused the pervading 
insensibility to the impending slaughter of the citizens. 

Jacob Leisler, the presumptive governor, in 1689 made 
De Freeze a Justice of the Peace which, among other 
reasons, helped to win support in his undertaking. Douwe 
Aukes married INIaria Arountse Viele, widow of Mattyhs 
Vrooman. At the time of the massacre and burning, 
February 8-9, 1690, Aukes wife, two children and colored 
servant, Francyn, were killed and Arount Viele, his 
brother-in-law, was taken captive to Canada. Aukes 
became a large land owmer and a man of considerable 
fortune. He left his estate to Cornelis Viele, son of the 
former keeper of his inn. 

Audries Arentse Bratt was a brewer for several years 
prior to 1690. He was the eldest son of Arent Bratt, 
one of the first proprietors. He married Margarita, 
daughter of Jacques Cornelise Van Slyck. Bratt lived in 
the southwestern part of the village where also was his 



42 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

brewery. On the night of the burning of Schenectady he 
and one of his children were slain. 

Ludovicus Cobes was another man of prominence in the 
colony in the early days. He was a native of Herentals, 
in Brabant, and emigrated to Beverwyck in 1655. From 
this time until 1677 he was court messenger at Fort 
Orange and Beverwyck. In 1677 he was appointed 
schout and served also as secretary until his death. His 
residence was at the north corner of Union and Church 
streets. 

Frans Van de Bogart, one of the early settlers in the 
village, was the son of Dr. Harmen Myndertse Van de- 
Bogart, who was surgeon on a Dutch ship. He located 
in New- Amsterdam as early as 1631, where Frans was born 
in 1640. His residence was situated on the north side of 
Front street where his son Class also lived. Frans Van 
de Bogart was killed in the 1690 massacre. They were a 
superior class of people and, therefore, excellent citizens. 
Several descendents of these families have since been 
residents of Schenectady. 

Barent Jans Van Ditmars settled in Schenectady in 1664 
and married Capalyntye De Vos, widow of Arent Andries 
Bratt. Van Ditmars had a son by a previous marriage, 
and both he and this son Cornelis were killed in 1690. 

Johamies Dirkse Van Eps was the eldest son of Dirk 
and Maritie Van Eps. He was made one of the five 
magistrates of the village in 1676 and one of the five 
patentees in the Dougan patent of 1684. Both he and his 
son were killed in 1690. 

Sweer Teunise Van Velsen was the first miller at Schenec- 
tady. In 1666 he erected a grist mill on Mill lane where 
he ground the corn for the entire community. The mill 
afterwards was wrecked by flood and rebuilt in 1673. 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 43 

The toll for grinding corn it seems was one- tenth, but in 
consideration of his misfortune Van Velsen was permitted 
thereafter to take one-eighth. 

In 1676 Van Velsen was appointed one of the magis- 
trates of the village. He was a man of property and a 
good citizen. He with his wife and four negro slaves were 
slain at the massacre. 

Adam Vrooman came from Holland to New-Netherland 
in 1649 and settled in Albany where he learned the mill- 
wright trade. In 1683 he built a mill on the Sand-Kil 
where later stood what was knowTi as the Brandywine 
Mill. He ran this mill for many years. In the massacre 
he saved his own life by a heroic defense, but in spite of 
his bravery in defense his wife and infant child were slain 
and his two sons Wouter and Barent were taken prisoners 
to Canada. Several years later Vrooman moved to 
Schoharie where he died on February 25, 1730. He was 
buried in his private burying ground on his lot in Front 
street, Schenectady. 

REYER SCHERMERHORN 

For nearly half a century beginning with the second 
decade of Schenectady's history, Reyer Schermerhorn was 
one of the most active and conspicuous figures in the com- 
munity. He was one of the strongest and most impressive 
characters of the early times. A man of great force, 
positiveness, determination and fearlessness, he had an 
active and potential part in the afiFairs of the town, and 
while in some instances was disregardful of the welfare 
and interest of others, he wielded great influence and did 
much for the place. 

Reyer was the son of Jacob Janse Schermerhorn of 
Albany and held some oflSce while a young man living in 



44 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

that place. When the Dongan Schenectady patent was 
issued in 1684 Schermerhorn was one of the five trustees 
named to administer the affairs under the grant. He 
continued to act as trustee until 1714, nearly fifteen years 
of this time being the only surviving member of the 
board. Some of the history of his service in this capacity 
will appear later on. 

In 1690 Schermerhorn was a member of the Provisional 
Assembly from Albany County and also Justice of the 
Peace. He was appointed in 1700 assistant to the Judge 
of Common Pleas. He owned mills on the Svhuylenberg 
Kil, besides, farms and his home in the village. Scher- 
merhorn died February 19, 1719, leaving two daughters 
and three sons. 

BARHYDT 

There were two brothers of this name who settled in 
Schenectady probably soon after 1725. Their names were 
Johannes and Hierouimas Barhydt. They were born in 
Albany County and were sons of Johannes, a resident of 
Rensseljerwyck. He married Catherine Gilbert of Albany, 
mother of the two who became residents of Schenectady. 
They were the progenitors of those bearing the name in the 
Schenectady section, there being some of the descendants 
now living. 

ADAM CONDE 

Adam Conde settled in Schenectady sometime prior to 
1724, the exact date not being known. He was a native 
of France, but probably came from Holland as he and his 
family were Huguenots who fled from France to escape 
persecution. 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 45 

In 1724 Mr. Conde was chosen high sheriff of Albany- 
County. He served also in the Albany County Militia. 
On November 3, 1736, he married Catherine, daughter of 
Isaac De Graff of Schenectady. They had two sons, 
Jesse, who moved to Charlton, Saratoga County, and 
became a Torry. Adam, the second son, was a AVhig. 
His father was killed in the Beukendal massacre and Adam 
was born one month later. Adam served with distinction 
under General Fonda in the Revolutionary War. This 
Adam Conde was the founder of the Conde community in 
Glenville. His home in Schenectady was at the corner of 
Church and Front Streets. He was a carpenter and boat 
builder and by reason of this fact built many boats to ply 
on the Hudson River. Cornelius Santford Conde, now 
a resident of Schenectady, is the sixth generation from the 
original Adam Conde, Edwin C, his son being the seventh 
generation. 



CHAPTER III 

THE FIRST DECADE 

^^^JHE year 1662 saw Schenectady firmly estab- 
'/^^^l ^^^^^^' ^^^ *^u^ ^i^d made the first chapter 
fe^M'l I ^^ ^^^ history. By reason of its location 
^::^;i^y )| Schenectady at once became the most 
' important town west of New York; it was 

the frontier settlement, the "First Fire," as the Indians 
sometimes described a position which is most exposed to 
attack. 

Schenectady, undeniably, was a daughter of Albany, yet 
there was very little maternal or filial love manifested by 
either, on the contrary there were years of coercion, 
defiance and even caterwauling. Yet Schenectady until 
1798 was subject to Albany. All legal matters, the 
appointment of officials and the disputes of various kinds 
went before the Albany tribunal for adjudication and 
adjustment, while the horde of hungry cormorants in the 
mother town from the beginning were in a state of frenzy 
lest the new struggling hamlet get a stuyver of their profits 
in the trade with the Indians. 

The population of the village rapidly outgrew the house- 
room within the stockades, that is to say, on the basis of 
the first plan of only four lots to a square. These, however, 
were soon divided thus affording three to four house lots 
out of the original plats. Building lots were also early 
allotted outside the enclosure and the first movement in 
building on the annexed territory was along Albany path, 
now State Street. By 1690 there were buildings along this 
street as far east as Lange Street, now Center, although 
most of these were on one side of the street — ^the north side. 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 47 

Front and Green streets were as yet little more than cow 
paths leading to pastures eastward. Cowhorn Creek 
which rises on the heights, in the present Vale Cemetery, 
flowed westward crossing State street between Clinton 
and Jay streets, thence southerly to the present Smith 
street. Here at this point there was a considerable pond 
and later a saw mill. From this point the creek turned 
westward crossing State street again about at Center 
street, and so on to the river. The creek now serves as a 
sewer, the change from its natural state being of quite 
recent date. 

In accordance with the custom of allotting the lands in 
the early times, all lands east of the palisades, or Ferry 
street, excepting the house lots on the north side of State 
street east to Center, were apportioned to settlers in small 
parcels as pasture land or wood lots. In what manner 
these plats of land were separated to secure to each 
individual his i)rivate use is not known. It was dis- 
tinctively a community of farmers, many of them having 
from ten to fifteen children m the family. They were 
simple, their needs were small and from the land they 
gained the wherewithal to make them comfortable and 
contented. In speaking of Jacques Cornelise Van Slyck 
and these people Danker and Slaji^er's Journal of 1780 
says that "Van Slyck has been corrupted by the conversa- 
tion of these impious Hollanders; for this place (Schenec- 
tady) is a godless one, being without a minister and having 
only a homily read on Sundays." 

This aspersion on the religious character of the early 
Dutch settlers plainly was without warrant, because 
religion was the fundamental principal of their Hves, 
tinctured, of course, with some degree of fanaticism and 
excessive zeal. Touching on this and the moral status 



48 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

of the community, the following court record is lumin- 
ous. 

Bennony Berentse Hoeck was one of the early settlers. 
He married the widow of Pieter Cornelise Viele who had 
children by her first husband. Hoeck was charged with 
cruel treatment of these children, was arrested therefor 
and haled before a magistrate. Herewith is the complaint 
entered against him by several of the citizens, together 
with the magistrate's conclusion in the case. 

"Yt Bennony Arentse doth most Cruelly and Barbously 
Beat ye Daughter of Pieter Viele deceased of which he is 
the step-father, which child being stood before the Justice 
of Peace is found all black and blew, and ye said Bennony 
being sent for by a Warrant and appearing before ye 
Justice doth excuse himself Because she is a whole night 
and sometimes half a night out a seeking Cows." 

"Whereupon ordered yt ye said Girle shal be delivered 
in ye hand of ye trustees Jacobs Mieese Vrooman and 
Cornelise Viele who is to dispose of her as they shall see 
meet, and if ye said Bennony Arentse shal for future abuse 
any of ye said Children of ye Pieter Viele upon complaint 
they shal be delivered to ye Trustees who shall have Power 
to dispose of ye same accordingly and ye Bond of good 
behaviour given, ye tenth of ye inst. to remain in force." 

Schenectady was barely established when Dutch 
dominion came to an end in the Province. In September, 
1664, the English became the supreme force and Richard 
NicoU became the Governor of the Province. 

While the Dutch were in power there was a small fort 
at Albany garrisoned by a few soldiers, but after the 
assumption of control by England the force at that place 
was often more than one full company and a part of the 
time two companies were stationed there. The fort at 




FROM AN OIL rA!NT(NG DEPICTIXO THE BURNING 
AND MASSACRE OF FEBRUARY, 169O 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 49 

Schenectady had from twenty to forty men under a 
Lieutenant. During the period of the French and English 
Wars these were often supplemented by the militia. 

It was not long after the building of the village had 
begun before the lands on the north side of the river, 
which had been apportioned equally among the first 
proprietors, was cut into smaller parcels and purchased 
by incoming settlers. This all contributed to the advance- 
ment of the village and also stimulated trade in the 
mercantile line. The death of Arent Van Curler, however, 
during this first formative period was a grievous loss. 
He was in great measure the guiding spirit in the local 
affairs. Van Curler's ability and good influences were 
recognized by both the whites and the Indians. When 
Governor Nicoll assumed control, upon the passing of the 
Province into the hands of the English, he at once sought 
the comisel of Van Curler, and from that time until the 
latter's death he was intimately identified with the 
governmental affairs. 

One of the serious and menacing elements on the 
frontier at this time was the border wars which began the 
year of Schenectady's founding, and continued inter- 
mittently until 1713. The Iroquois were often at war with 
other nations or tribes, while the Five Nations were 
fighting and resisting the determined efforts of the French 
to force them into an alliance or treaty of peace with other 
tribes. Schenectady was the most exposed point in the 
Province. Farm houses in the vicinity were planned not 
alone for a dwelling but a fort in which sanctuary could 
be had by the family in the event of attack. The farmer 
carried his gun a-field and worked with it by his side. In 
spite of this precaution and preparedness for defense 
many met death from year to year at the hands of bands of 



50 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

savages or savages and French coming across the border 
from Canada. These later took on the horror of massacres 
as will be seen later on. 

These conditions prompted Governor Lovelace in 1671 
to issue an order to the effect that every man in Schenec- 
tady over fifteen and under sixty years of age should 
provide himself with a gun, side arms and ammunition. 
The penalty for failure to observe the order was fixed at 
ten guilders and the limit of time named for the aforesaid 
equipment was fourteen days. The following year Jacob 
Sanders Glen and Sweer Teunise Van Velsen were ap- 
pointed chief officers of the Schenectady forces. Military 
organizations in the village soon thereafter took concrete 
form and continued until the war for independence. 

As early as 1666 Sweer Teunise Van Velsen erected the 
first grist mill on Mill Lane, which name the little street 
still bears. In those early times, as a feature of the 
monopoly, the bolting or making of flour could be done 
only at Albany or New York and for a miller in Schenec- 
tady to undertake this special product boded trouble for 
him. Finally the privilege was granted to Van Velsen 
exclusively who had the monopoly of flour making for 
many years. 

Another industry was that of Pieter Fonda, who was a 
shoemaker and tanner. Between 1670 and 1680 he had 
a residence on State street where the Young Men's Chris- 
tain Association building is now located. His tannery 
was at the rear of his house and not far distant from Van 
Velsen's grist mill. 

Johannes Sanders Glen about 1700 or 1706 owned and 
ran a brewery on Washington avenue, a little north of 
Front street. 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 51 

THE LAST DEED — 1672 

The first purchase of land from the Mohawks by Arent 
Van Curler in 16G1 in a few years was taken up and 
occupied by settlers and home makers, and, therefore, 
additional land was sought farther westward on the river 
flat. Negotiations with the Mohawks were begun and 
finally in 1672 deeds were executed which included the 
lands to the western limit of the present country. Here- 
with is the deed, together with the consideration and 
payment therefor: 

"On this 3d day of July Ao, 1672, appeared before mee, 

John Garretsen Van INIarken admitted publ: nota: by 

the worshipful court of Albany and the Inhabitants of 

Schanhechtade together with a certain Indian called 

Dohorywachqua and Crage, being the representative of 

ye foure Mohocks Castells who declared and promised to 

hold firm and stable, and will cause to be held in full force 

and virtue all and whatsoever hee shall act or doe in ye 

sale of ye lands Near The Towne of Schanhechtade within 

Three Dutch Myles in Compasse on both sides of ye River 

Westwards which endes at Hinguariones (Towareoune) 

Where the Last Battell Wass between The Mohawk and 

the North Indians; Provided That Jacques Cornelisse 

Van Slyck Shall have the first flatts or playne,— Except ye 

Inhabitants of Schanhechtade Will Restore unto said 

Jacques Cornelisse Two Rundlets of Brandy and one 

hundred hand of Wampum which being paid unto said 

Jacques the first said Pla\nie to Remain to the Towne." 

"Whereupon Sander Leenders Gelen being a former 

Magistrate and John Van Eps and Sweer Teunise Van 

Velsen being ye present magistrate of ye said Towne did 

acknowledge and declare That They Weare Agreed with 

ye said Indian upon ye purchase of ye land for ye summe or 



52 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

quantity of six hundred hands of good Wheyte Wampum, 
Six Koates of Duffels, Thirty barres of Lead and nine 
bagges of Powder Which They doe promis unto ye said 
Indians in two Terms, viz.: The first as soon as The 
Sachems or any person by Them authorized Shall Comma 
out of ye Country and Produce full Power from Theyre 
Inhabitants according to Their usual Manner, and have 
Thereupon delivered unto ye said Indian as a present for 
The old man in the Mohawk Country a Rundlet of Brandy, 
— To the end all Misunderstanding and Complaints May 
be Washt of and Removed." 

"To the Trew performance of the premises The said 
parties have hereunto Set their hands, and Wass Inter- 
preted by Cornelise Viele in The Absence of Jacques 
Cornelise — in Schanhechtade, the date above written. 
(Signed) With the Markes of followeth." 

douoriwachqua, 

Crage, 

Sander Leenders Gelen, 
John Van Eps, 
Sweer Teunise." 
Attested by me 
J. G. V. Marken, notar. publ. 

The two Indians whose names are attached to the above 
deed made their mark as usual, which was the symbol of 
the clan or tribe to which each belonged. That the pur- 
chase price was duly paid is shown by the memorandum 
as follows : 

"This day the 13th of July is payd unto the Indians 
above-mentioned in parte of ye purchaze foure hundred 
hands of Wampum, 30 barrels of Lead, 3 bagges of Powder. 
More for a present, 3 ankers good beere, one koatt of 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 53 

duffels, together with the above mentioned rundlet of 
Brandy." 

Following this purchase and conveyance, application 
was at once made to the Governor and Council for a 
patent, and here again was an exhibition of the working 
of the volatile government. On account of claimed 
irregularity, informality, failure to first obtam the consent 
of the Governor to the purchase and sundry other excuses, 
the matter was not favorably acted upon until 1G84 while 
Thomas Dongan was Governor. 

It was ordered meanwhile, however, that "ye Magis- 
trates of Schancchtady shall at this time have liberty to 
impose and le\y upon ye Inhabitants there the 800th 
penny for to pay present debts and defray publique 
Charges," also "That they may be excused ye paym. of 
their Burger's Packt or Excise att Albany and may bee 
ad." 

THE PATENT OF 1684 — ITS DRAMATIC FEATURES 

Finally on the first day of November, 1684, the long 
sought for patent covering the ancient township of 
Schenectady was granted. The Patent is printed in full 
because of its value historically and also because of the 
fact that it was so closely interwoven with the lives of 
many early and prominent citizens of Schenectady. 

"Thomas Dongan, Lieutenant and Governor and Vice- 
Admirall under his Royall Highnesse, James, Duke of 
Yorke, etc., of New Yorke and its Dependencyes in 
America, etc. 

To all to whom these presents shall come, Sendeth 
Greeting, Whereas Tohorywachqua and Crage, Represen- 
tatives of the four Mohake Castles, have for themselves, 
and Canachquo, Ocquary, and Tohoriowachqua, true and 



54 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

Lawfull Owners of the Land within mentioned, have by 
their certaine Writeing, or Deed of Sale, dated the third 
day of July Anno Dni 1672, Given and Granted unto 
Sander Lendrs Glenn, John Van Eps, Sweere Teunesse, as 
being impowered by the Inhabitants of the Towne or 
Village of Schenectady and Places adjacent, a Certaine 
Tract or Parcell of Lands, beginning at the Maques 
River, by the Towne of Schenectade, and from thence 
Runnes Westerly on both sides up the River to a Certaine 
Place called by the Indains Canaquarioeny, being Reputed 
three Dutch Miles or twelve English Miles; and from the 
said To^\Tie of Schenectade downe the River one Dutch 
or four English miles to a kill or creeke called the Ael 
Place, and from the said Maques River into the woods 
South Towards Albany to the Sandhill one Dutch Mile and 
as much on the other side of the River North, being one 
Dutch mile more, there being Excepted in the said Bounds 
all Corne and Sawmills, that now are or hereafter shall be 
erected Within the Bounds of the said Towne, that they 
be lyable to pay a perticular Quitt Rent for their Privileges, 
besides what is herein sett forth, as shall hereafter be 
agreed for by the Inhabitants of the said Places, or owners 
of such Mills, with such Governour, or Governours as shall 
be Appointed by his Royal Highnesse; and likewise that 
noe Timber or Wood be Cutt but within the Bounds afore- 
said, the said Excepeon being agreed upon by Myselfe 
as by a Certaine Writeing bearing date the 7th day of 
August last Past, doth more perticulerly Appeare: 

Now know Yee that by virtue of the Comieon and 
Authority to me Given, by his Royall Highnesse James 
Duke of Yorke and Albany, Lord Proprietor of this 
Province, I have hereby Given, Granted, Ratifyed and 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 55 

Confirme and by these Presents doe Give, Grant, Ratifye 
and confirme, unto William Teller, Ryert Schermerhorn, 
Sweer Teunessen, Jan Van Epps and Myndert Wemp on 
the Behalfe of the Inhabitants of the Towne of Schenectade 
and Places Adjacent aforesaid, Dependencyes thereon, 
there Associates, Heires, Successors and Assigns, all and 
Singular the before recited Tract and Tracts, Parcell and 
Parcells of Land, Meadow, Ground and Premises with 
their and every of their Appurtenancyes, together with all 
and Singular the Houses, Buildings, Messuages, Tene- 
ments, Heriditaments, Dams, Rivers, Runnes, Streames, 
Ponds, Woods, Quarryes, Fishing, Hawking and Fowling, 
with all Privileges, Libertyes, and improvements whatso- 
ever, to the said Lands and Premises belonging, or in any 
wise appertaining, or accepted, reputed, taken or known as 
Part, Parcell, or member thereof, with their and every of 
their x\ppurtenances ; Provided Alwayes that this shall not 
anywayes make null, or void a former Grant or Pattent, 
bearing date of the 30th of October last past made to 
Jacques Cornelisse of a Piece of Land lyeing within the 
Bounds heretofore mentioned of the Towne of Schenec- 
tade, (that is to say) the Land Lyeing and being betweene 
two Creekes, the one called the Stone Creeke to the East- 
ward, and the other the Platte Creeke to the westward 
thereof, the Low Land lyeing along the River side on the 
South of the Maques River, and then to the north of the 
Land belonging to the Inhabitants of Schenectade, the 
same Containing Forty INlorgan or Eighty acres of Land, as 
alsoe Forty Morgan, or Eighty Acres of Woodland or 
upland more, on the West side of the Platte Creeke, adjoin- 
ing to the arrable Land along the River side, which was 
wholly exempt by the Indian Proprietors, in the sale of 
this Land, as belonging to Jacques Cornelise: — To have 



56 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

and to hold the aforesaid Tract and Tracts, Parcell and 
Parcells, of Land and Premisses with their and every of 
their Appurtenances, unto the said WiUiam Teller, Ryert 
Schermerhorn, Sweer Teunessen, Jan Van Epps and 
Myndert Wemp on the behalfe of the Inhabitants of the 
Towne of Schenectade and their Associates, their Heires, 
Successors and Assignes, unto the proper use and behoof e 
of the said William Teller, Ryert Schermerhorn, Sweer 
Teunessen, Jan Van Eps and Myndert Wemp, their 
Heires, Successors, and Assignes forever, to be holden of 
his Royal Highnesse, his Heires and Assignes in ffree and 
Comon Soccage, According to the tenure of East Green- 
wich, in the County of Kent, in his Magesties Kingdome 
of England, Yielding and Paying therefor. Yearly and 
every Yeare, as a Quitt rent, for his Royal Highnesse use, 
unto such officer or officers as shall be appointed to re- 
ceive the same att Albany forty bushels of Good Winter 
Wheat, on or before the twenty-fifth day of March. 

Given under my Hand and Sealed with the Scale of the 
Province, at ffort James in New York, the first day of 
November Anno Dni 1684, and in the thirty-sixth Yeare of 
his maties Raigne. 

Tho. Dongan." 

This patent, as previously stated, covered the ancient 
township which in 1798 became the city of Schenectady. 
From this time forward all conveyances of lands were 
executed by the trustees named in the patent. This 
power was vested in them, their successors, heirs and 
assigns forever, to have, to hold, to sell and give legal title 
thereto : and out of this vested authority there developed 
disorder and complications that sorely harassed the in- 
habitants for more than a hundred years. 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 57 

A little more than five years after the grantmg of this 
patent, or at the massacre of February 9, 1690, three of 
the trustees, viz.: Myndert Wemp, Sweer Teunisse Van 
Velsen and Jan Van Epps were killed, leaving only William 
Teller and Ryer Schermerhorn to manage the land affairs. 
William Teller, being then a man well advanced in years, 
took little active part in the details of the trusteeship. 
Finally in 1692 he moved to New York where he died in 
1700, leaving Ryer Schermerhorn as the only surviving 
trustee to administer the affairs of this extensive property 
comprising about eighty thousand acres of land. Scher- 
merhorn at once arrogated to himself full power and 
authority in the matter, selling and transferring parcels of 
land and rendering no account thereof to the village. 

The repeated complaints and dissentions from his action 
were of no avail, Schermerhorn meanwhile continuing in 
utter disregard of the rights or wishes of the great body of 
citizens interested in the property. As a means of relief 
the citizens on October 1st, 1702, petitioned the Governor 
and Council. After reciting the many grievances, the 
petition closes with the following appeal: 

"Wee, the inhabitants aforesaid doe therefore most 
humbly pray your Lordship and honorable Council to take 
our Case into your serious consideration and that yee 
Power of said Ryer Schermerhorn and the heirs of said 
Three deceased may be annuld and made Void and to 
present a new^ patent Confirming the Land (and) other 
Privileges as in the present Patent is contained for ye 
Behoofe of ye Inhabitants of said Village,— Together with 
an addition that yearly and every year five persons by the 
Major Votes of the said Inhabitants be chosen Trustees 
over ye said Village and be accountable of those Proceed- 
ings at the Determination of Three Years, humbly sub- 



58 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

mitting to your Lordship to appoint such Persons for 
Trustees as aforesaid for ye first year and your humble 
Petitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray, etc." 

Yet in face of this Schermerhorn continued to discharge 
the function of his trusteeship. At this juncture of the 
matter the Governor appointed'Sampson Sheldon Brough- 
ton, Esq., to investigate Schermerhorn 's administration of 
the land affairs and herewith is the closing paragraph of 
his report: 

"And I do not upon the whole matter find the misde- 
meanor aforesaid does render said Ryer Schermerhorn 
so criminated in law as to subject him to a higher punish- 
ment." 

On May 25th, 1714, Schermerhorn was ordered before 
the Governor and Council, when after the presentation of 
the case Schermerhorn was suspended from acting further 
as trustee. 

In 1714 another patent was granted covering the same 
lands but it in no particular removed the cause of trouble, 
for it contained no provision for the chosing of a new board 
of trustees. Ryer Schermerhorn died in 1714 leaving his 
son, Jan, and grandson, Ryer, to continue the bickering 
and the legal contest through many years. The great 
drama came to an end finally in 1798 when Schenectady 
became a city, the land affairs then being placed in the 
control and management of the mayor and common 
coimcil. 

The Dongan patent of 1684 imposed a tax or "Quit" 
rent which was to be paid in products of the land, chiefly 
wheat. This tax was laid at about the rate of four bushels 
of wheat to each forty acres of land. This "Quit" rent 
imposition remained in force many years and was a source 
of much annoyance and vigorous protestations by the 
farmers of Schenectady and vicinity. 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 59 

INNS OF THE EARLY TIMES 

The inns and taverns of the early days oftentimes were 
a factor in the affairs of the community. Many of the 
innkeepers and landlords were men of repute and high 
standing, in many instances being engaged in other voca- 
tions, business or in public affairs. It is doubtful, how- 
ever, if the inns at the early date of Schenectady's founding 
approached to the rank of hostelries, for the reason mainly 
that there was little travel and therefore snuill need for 
public service, except in the line of liquors. 

The first inn established in Schenectady was that of 
Cornelius Viele on Mill Lane. It is stated that this inn 
was opened in 1663, the year following the founding of the 
village. Douw Aukes De Freeze soon after became either 
his partner or successor in the business and carried it on a 
considerable number of years. He was licensed as an 
innkeeper and victualer. At the time of the burning of 
the town in 1690, De Freeze was conducting the principal 
inn at which some festivities or roystering had been going 
on the night of the attack. Aukes inn was located near 
the First church. 

Jacques Cornelisse Van Slyck, the half breed Indian, w^as 
also a licensed innkeeper some time prior to 1670. His 
inn was located at the corner of Washington avenue and 
Cucumber alley. On account of being half Indian Van 
Slyck stood in great favor among the Indians, although the 
selling of liquor to them was prohibited. So also was the 
fur and peltry trade with them barred yet these inns 
afforded a convenient place for clandestine trade. 

In 1671 Cornelise Viele applied for another license and 
obtained it on the ground that he wanted to conduct a 
better place than that kept by Van Slyck. 



GO SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

In 1672, on the account of the loss of her husband by 
drowning and also property and crops, the widow of Arent 
Van Curler was granted license as an innkeeper wdth the 
exclusive privilege of selling liquors to the Indians. The 
Van Curler home was at the corner of Union and Church 
streets and it was here that she conducted the inn. She 
died in 1675. 

Caleb Beck in 1698 or 1700 opened a tavern on Front 
street and continued it for a considerable period of time. 
In 1717 he was complained of by the chamberlain because 
of being several years in arrears for his license fee. 

Jacobus Cromwell also had a tavern on Front street 
about 1700. It was quite a pretentious place, having 
grounds extending to the river bank. This was the early 
residence of Wouter Vrooman. 

In 1798 Aaron Bradt kept a tavern of some account on 
the site where later the Givens hotel stood. Bradt ran 
this tavern a long time, and after his death his wife con- 
ducted it for several years. 

The Schenectady Coffee House was kept by John Hud- 
son. He established it as early as 1793 at the southwest 
corner of Union and Ferry streets. Hudson also ran 
stage lines to Albany and Troy. After his death the widow 
carried on the hotel, W'ith dry goods and grocery in the 
same building, until her death. 

Moses Beal also had a tavern as early as 1793. He too 
had a line of stages running to Albany, Johnstown and 
Canajoharie. His tavern was the headquarters for these 
stages, bringing to his house quite a volume of business. 

Robert Clinch's hotel, established some time prior to 
1770 was a hostelry of considerable note. It was located 
near the corner of State and Washington avenue. Clinch 
was a man of good repute both as a citizen and hotel 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 61 

keeper. It was at this place that General Washington was 
entertained upin his first visit to Schenectady, in 1775. 
This hotel continued as one of the leading public places 
until the great fire of 1819 when the building was burned. 

Thomas B. Clinch, son of Robert Clinch, for several 
years afterwards ran a hotel in the Arent Bradt building 
No. 9 State street. This afterwards was knowTi as the 
Sharratt House. Clinch was the landlord until 1830. 

In 1785 Reuben Simonds ran a tavern on Church street 
I between State and Union. 

That there was a tavern at the corner of Union and Jay 
streets in 1819 is showTi by the following advertisement 
which appeared in the Cabinet, a weekly paper, under date 
of June 2, 1819. 

"A Good Bargain— The subscriber being desirous of 
moving to the Western Country offers for sale his tavern 
stand pleasantly situated in the most flourishing part of 
the City near Union College, on corner Union and Jay 
Streets, fifty feet on Union, 200 feet on Jay, which affords 
room for two good building lots independent of the building 
already on the premises — a two story large barn and a 
never failing well of water (apple trees, gooseberries, 
cherries and currants) will be sold low vn\h. one-fourth 
do\\Ti. Isaac V. Farrell." 

The Givens Hotel situated on the land now occupied 
by the Edison, was one of the leading public houses in Sche- 
nectady during the middle part of the nineteenth century. 
It was built by Resolve Givens in 1825 or a considerable 
time before the first railroad between Schenectady and 
Albany was constructed. 

Givens was a man of force and influence. It was 
through his instrumentality that the Erie Canal was 
located in its present course through the city. The same 



62 SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 

was true of the railroad. His influence was the factor 
that brought both of these highways close to his property. 
Withal Givens was a popular landlord and stood high in 
the esteem of the community. 

According to the directory of the city published in 1851 
the Givens Hotel was in the hands of George Griffin as 
proprietor and landlord. 

The first city directory published in 1841, names 
Tammany Hall as one of the hotels kept by J. Felthousen, 
No. 20 Union street, also the house opposite the railroad 
station, T. Irish, proprietor. 

The Railroad House run by P. Whiteside at the same 
time was located at 159 State street. 

The old Miller Tavern was located on the west side of 
Washington avenue south of State street, and the House at 
Home was on the north side of State street between Church 
street and Washington avenue. The City Hotel occupied 
the southeast corner of State and Dock streets, where the 
modern commercial building of A. Brown & Co., was 
erected in 1910. The City Hotel became Fuller's Hotel, 
and went out of existence as a hotel about 1875. 

Other hotels on State street east of the New York Cen- 
tral railroad were Drullards' Hotel near the tracks, and 
opposite that was the Commercial House. This hotel 
ran until 1885 or later. The Carley house was on the site 
of the present Vendome — At one time it was called the 
Eagle Hotel. It was built by Nicholas Barhydt and was 
run as a temperance house. The American House stood 
on the site of the Schenectady Savings Bank. It was a 
large building with a wide porch, a conspicuous hostelry 
on account of its location. Hildebrand's hotel was 
located farther east on State street. 



CHAPTER IV 

EVENTS 1675-1685 — churches 
N THE early period of building and develop- 
ment the service of slaves was as common 
in Schenectady as elsewhere. All were 
dejjendent upon the product of the soil, 
and laborers were not plentiful. Alexander 
Lindsay Glen kept a large number of slaves on his large 
estate. He was thoughtful and considerate in his treat- 
ment of them, however, they being well housed and 
accorded wide freedom. 

Glen was a typical Scotchman, of strong physique and 
conmianding manner. He stood in the highest regard of 
both the Indians and the French and received from them 
many expressions of appreciation of the acts of kindness 
rendered by him. His wife was Catherine Dongan, by 
whom he had three sons, Jacob Alexander, Alexander and 
John Alexander. She died August 12, 1684, and was 
buried directly under the pulpit of the First Little Dutch 
Church. Glen died November 13, 1685, and was buried 
beside his wife. Later their remains were removed to the 
Glen burying ground in Scotia. The Glen Village resi- 
dence on Washington avenue was destroyed in the fire of 
1819. 

Cornelius Antonsen \'an Slyck, father of Jacques 
Cornelise, was a man of much consequence among the 
Mohawks. He was a Hollander by birth, and was one of 
the early colonists in the Province. He was known 
among the Indians as Broer Cornelius. As early as 1640, 
Broer Cornelius married a daughter of one of the Mohawk 
chiefs and lived among them at the Great Castle thence 



64 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

forward. They had several children besides Jacques. 
Hillitje and Leah were daughters. Broer Cornelius 
Van Slyck acted for many years as interpreter for the 
Province. He died in 1676. The son, Jacques and the 
daughter, Hillitje, became affiliated by marriage with 
some of the best white families in the community. 

Daniel Janse Van Antwerpen became a resident of the 
Village in 1670, and in 1700-1701 served as the Supervisor 
of the township. One of his descendents, Simon Van 
Antwerp was appointed by the Governor in 1790 as 
Lieutenant of the militia and four years later was advanced 
to the rank of Captain. 

Simon Groot, son of Simon Symouse Groot, one of the 
settlers of 1663, constructed the first bridge over College 
brook, or Hansen Kil, near the present American Locomo- 
tive Company's plant. 

Rynier Schaats, physician and surgeon, settled in 
Schenectady in 1675. In 1689 Jacob Leisler appointed 
Dr. Schaats one of the justices of the peace of Schenectady. 
The doctor and one of his sons were killed in the massacre 
of 1690. 

Dr. Jacobus Van Dyck, another physician, located in the 
village in 1664. He was for some time surgeon at the fort. 

THE DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH 

To write in completeness of detail the history of the 
Dutch Reformed Church would constitute the record of 
the vital part of Schenectady's early history. The 
church during the first hundred years or more was so 
closely associated and interlinked with both the spiritual 
and temporal affairs of the community that it was almost 
the main energy during those years. 













v=^-> -..' 






05- f i-i^Sa^==J:|M;^:'^"y''-n 






1." /:7^ 










SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 65 

The Dutch church was the sixth church estabhshed in 
the Province of New York. While the exact date of its 
founding is not definitely kno^\Ti, it is thought to have 
been some time between 1670 and 1080 or even earher. 
There was no church edifice at this date, however, but the 
church society, as an organization, was hkely in existence 
at this time. During these early years clergymen from 
other towns visited Schenectady occasionally and minis- 
tered to the adlierents of that faith. Dominie Schaats 
of Albany was one of those who conducted service and 
administered the sacrament. Albany, at that time, had 
but one church. As early as 1674, Hans Janse Enkluys, 
an aged citizen of the settlement, died leaving to the 
church organization for the benefit of the poor, his land 
located in the northeastern section of the city, on condition 
that the church care for him during his declining years. 
This property was afterw^ard designated as the "Poor 
Pasture" and remained in the ownership of the church 
until 1862. It is now" occupied by The American Locomo- 
tive Works and many city dwellings. During many years 
the church acted as guardian of the homeless and the 
destitute children, and was the purse-bearer of the poor. 
It owned vast tracts of land, dealt in all sorts of commodi- 
ties, and was at the same time moral and spiritual director 
of the populace. The church had the constant and loyal 
support of the people, and they were no less mindful and 
generous toward the poor. 

Alexander Lindsay Glen was a devout churchman, and 
although of the Presb;yi:erian faith, he, in the absence of a 
church of his faith, afiiliated with the Dutch church. In 
1682, he erected at his personal expense the first little 
church at the junction of State, Church, Water street and 
Mill Lane. This he presented to the inhabitants and him- 



66 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

seK worshipped there. Prior to this he and others who 
wished to attend service went to Albany, a journey 
requiring much time and attended with great hardship. 

In 1783 probably the first regular minister was called. 
This was Dominie Petrus Thesschenmsecker. This is 
according to a record of disbursements in connection with 
the society. Soon after this the first parsonage was erec- 
ted on or near the site now occupied by the Dutch church. 
The dominie was then a young man and unmarried. 

Adjoining this first little church was the burying ground, 
and near the church also was the whipping post used on 
certain occasions. On the night of the massacre Dominie 
Thesschenmaker was slain and burned in his house. From 
this time until 1694 the church was wholly without a 
pastor or service of any kind, Albany again becoming the 
church center for those who could spend the two days 
necessary for the trip. In this year and up to 1700 at 
least, the church had occasional supplies. Dominie Dellius 
of Albany visiting the village three or four times a year 
to minister to the church and perform baptisms. The 
church along with the village was practically wrecked, and 
it gathered strength and life very slowly. 

The Rev. Bernardus Freeman was the next stated pastor 
of the church. He assumed charge about 1700, and 
remained until 1703 or 1705. Dr. Freeman, meanwhile, 
was also missionary to the Mohawks and translated some 
parts of the prayerbook and passages of the scriptures into 
their language. The church edifice early in the 
eighteenth century had become unsuitable and unfit to 
accommodate the people, but the congregation had 
not yet sufficiently recovered from the disaster to 
undertake the building of a new church, therefore aid 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 67 

was sought and obtained throughout the Province. The 
little church was one of the few buildings that had 
been spared in the burning of 1690. The .second and new 
hou.se of worship was completed on the same ground in 
1703. It was a substantial stone structure fifty-six feet 
in dimensions. The small burying ground on the west 
side of the church was undisturbed by the erection of the 
second church. 

This edifice served the needs of the worshipers until 
1734, when a new and somewhat more modern one was 
completed, at the junction of Union and Church streets. 
This was of stone construction also, and stood plump in 
the center of Church street, facing towards the north. 
After the abandonment or the former church, the building 
was occupied many years, or until 1754, as a fort. It was 
later called the "watch hou.se" and was also a barracks 
many years after this date. It was at one time designated 
the "Market Place." 

From the time of Dr. Freeman's leaving the church up 
to 1714, there was no regular pastor again. Dominies 
Johannes Lydius, Petrus Van Driessen and others visited 
Schenectady from time to time and preached and baptised 
children and new members. The Rev. Thomas Barclay, 
who was chaplain of the fort, 1710-1712, officiated also 
at the Dutch church, although he was an Episcopalian 
clerg;\^man. 

In July, 1714, Dominie Thomas Brouwer was called 
to the pastorate of the church. He was to receive as 
compensation ninety pounds, a dwelling free of rent, fire 
wood delivered at his door; a large garden and free pas- 
tures for two cows and a horse. He ministered to the 
church until his death January 15, 1728, albeit during the 
five years immediately preceding his death he had been 



68 SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 

more or less incapacitated by illness and was therefore 
furnished mth an assistant. 

In March of the same year the Rev. ReinhardusErichzon 
became the fourth minister of the church and remained 
until 1736. 

Up to nearly the beginning of 1800 the church, like 
most of the early churches, had no system for heating 
other than small individual foot stoves. In 1792 the first 
stoves for warming the auditorium were put into use. 
These were located on either side of the auditorium and 
upon platforms raised to the height of the gallery and 
reached only by climbing over the balustrade. This mode 
heated the upper part of the church only, leaving those 
upon the main floor to suffer, or use the old time foot 
stoves. It resulted, however, in the stoves being taken 
from their elevated position and placed on the main floor. 
A subscription for the purchase of a bell and clock was 
started in 1731, yet these were not purchased until a little 
time afterwards. At this time the society was not yet 
incorporated. The consistory petitioned the Governor 
in 1734 for a charter, which was granted August third of 
that year. The organization was a large real estate owner 
and was executing the functions of a legally organized 
body without authority in law. After this its scope of 
action became still broader. 

The third church at the junction of Union and Church 
streets was of blue limestone and had two entrances, one 
on the north end and another on the east side, the latter 
being also the entrance to the gallery. The bellfry and 
clock tower were on the north end. After the custom of 
those days, the male and female members of the congrega- 
tion occupied separate parts of the auditorium, while the 
boys and the negroes were seated in the gallery. 




IHH MAHEE HOU>E 
Erected sometime between 1060 and 1670. The hous 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 69 

In 1753 the old wooden building used as the parsonage 
on the site of the present church had fallen into decay to 
such an extent that it was torn do\^^^ and a new parsonage 
constructed of brick replaced it. It was a one and a half 
story building with a pointed gable fronting toward the 
street. 

Again, in 1812, agitation for a new and more modern 
church had begun. The seating capacity of the old 
church was inadequate in so great a degree that it 
retarded the growth in membership. By this date too the 
town had spread eastward and many urged the building 
of the greater church in the new section. It was finally 
decided, however, to build on the parsonage lot. The 
work on the new edifice was at once started and by Novem- 
})er 20, 1814, the new- structure was so near completion that 
the last service was held in the old church on that date. 
The two sites of the former churches were then sold to the 
city and became a part of the i)ublic thoroughfare. 

In IS'-ZG the first organ was placed in the church at a cost 
of one thousand dollars. In the early days of the church 
it was the custom for the clerk of the church to begin the 
morning service by the reading the ten commandments 
and a chapter of the Bible and also singing a Psalm. 
Simon Van Antwerp was for many years the chorister, 
beginning in 1775. At the afternoon service he read a 
chapter of the scriptures and the church creed. The clerk 
of the church was an important functionary, being second 
only to the minister. He had charge of the burying of 
the dead and received emoluments therefrom and these 
often reached what many regarded as an excessive sum. 

The klokluyer, or sexton, had charge of digging the 
graves and filling them after the funeral. He also rang 
the church bell, dusted and cleaned the seats and kept 



70 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

them in proper order. His yearly compensation was $7.50. 

The church edifice erected in 1814 was destroyed by fire 
in 1862 and was replaced with the beautiful and com- 
modious church of the present day. 

The Rev. Dirck Romeyn, who was the pastor from about 
1785 until his death in 1804, was a man of note, an earnest 
worker and a doer of much good in the community. He 
was the potent factor in the founding of Union College. 

There are four Dutch Reformed churches in the city 
besides others in the outlying towns which are an out- 
growth of the First Dutch Reformed. Also two in Glen- 
ville, two in Rotterdam, two in Niskayuna and one in 
Princetown. 

SECOND REFORMED CHURCH 

The Second Reformed church was organized in October, 
1851. The first consistory was elected October 30, 1851, 
and the church organized with fourteen members. On the 
16th of November, 1851, the organization services were 
held in the First Reformed Dutch church. The sermon 
was preached by Rev. Wm. J. R. Taylor, pastor of the 
church. November 23, 1851, the first service was held 
in the old Cameronian church on Centre street. Rev. N. 
D. Williamson of Scotia officiated. November 15, 1852, 
Rev. I. G. Duryea was installed pastor of the church. In 
1854 the lot for the church was purchased on the corner 
of Franklin and Jay streets and on July 4th, 1855, the 
corner stone was laid. In September, 1856, it was com- 
pleted. The society is now housed in a handsome church 
at the corner of Union and Morris avenue. 

Bellevue Reformed church is located at the corner of 
Broadway and Genesee street. Mount Pleasant Reformed 
at the corner of Crane and Ostrander Place, and Hope 
Chapel is on Railroad street. 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 71 

ST. George's church 

Although not as ancient as the Dutch Reformed Church, 
St. George's has a history of hke interest growing out of 
the struggles and trials attending church building in the 
early period of the Province. It is especially historical 
too from the fact that the original church edifice is still 
standing and occupied by the Society. 

For some time after the founding of Schenectady there 
was no call for an English church, practically all of the 
residents being adherents of the Dutch Church. Soon 
after 1700, however, others than the Dutch began taking 
up homes in the comnnmity and among them were some 
English emigrants of the E{)iscoj)al faith. Many of these 
became affiliated by marriage with the Dutch families, 
which, in a measure served to bring about more intimate 
relations between the two denominations. By 1750, or 
soon thereafter, the number had increased to such an 
extent that steps were taken toward providing a house for 
worship. 

In 1759 the building of St. George's was begun, but the 
society was yet small and available funds were scarce. 
Little more was done than to lay the foundation. When 
completed it was a little stone edifice fifty-six by thirty- 
six feet, with a small wooden steeple crowned with a bell 
tower and a cross. There were only thirty -six pews in 
the church. Although the original edifice still stands it 
has been enlarged and changed from time to time until 
it is now about four times its original size. The interior 
of the old church has been preserved with as few changes 
as possible during the many enlargements. 

In 1765 the society appealed to the church authorities 
in England, setting forth that it had a church nearly 
completed, but was unable on account of lack of funds to 



72 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

engage a minister. The ill feeling which was then rapidly- 
growing against anything that smacked of English was a 
serious hindrance in the matter of establishing an English 
church, and it lessened very little until long after the final 
settlement of the issue by force of arms. 

As early as 1710 the Rev. Thomas Barclay, an Episcopal 
clergyman, was stationed in Albany and during this time 
which covered two years he preached in the Dutch church, 
there being no regular pastor in charge of the church at 
that time. He was succeeded by other missionaries from 
time to time, the Rev. John Oglivie holding services in 1754 
during which time he baptised se\^eral, some of whom were 
members of the Dutch church. In the meanwhile an 
Englishman by the name of John W. Brown had settled 
in the village and entered with spirit and earnestness into 
the advancement of the cause. The building of St. 
George's church was due in great part to his efforts and it 
is said that he bestowed upon it the name it now bears. 

Sir William Johnson then living at Fort Johnson near 
Tribes Hill, a man of means and wide influence, was a 
staunch adherent of the faith and a warm supporter of the 
church building movement in Schenectady. He aided 
by a generous personal subscription and secured from his 
friends and acciuaintances many other contributions 
toward the building fund. After the completion of the 
church Sir William had a pew and it is said that his pew was 
distinguished by having over it a canopy. It was due to 
his influence also that the society procured its charter in 
1766, and, furthermore, he was the means of securing 
missionaries to come and minister to the church before a 
regular pastor was installed. 

The building of a church then was an undertaking that 
faced problems other than money getting. There were 




rill:- RUbA HOUSE, I4 NORTH CHURCH sXRUUT 

Erected by Hendrick Brouwer scmetime prior to 1700. Passed to Jemes Rosa Est. in 1800. He 
was the first superintendent of the Mohawk and Hudson R. R. 



SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 73 

very few mechanics in the community, which necessitated 
the going to the New England Province for them, an 
expense to be carefully considered by a struggling church 
society. The church at first had two doors or entrances, 
one on the west and another on the south side. It is said 
that the side entrance was for the Presbyterians who had 
co-operated to some extent in the building of the church. 
There was a communion table against the wall and in 
front of this was a desk for the preacher. This desk was 
reached by a flight of stairs. There seems to have been 
considerable controversy for some time between the two 
congregations as to their interests and rights in the church 
property. It terminated, however, in the withdrawal of 
the Presbyterians and the closing of the south entrance 
by the authorities of St. George's church. 

Rev. Mr. Ogilvie was succeeded in missionary work by 
the Rev. Thomas BrowTi then stationed at Albany; also 
the Rev. Harrj^ Monroe, ministered to the congregation 
and officiated at baptisms and funerals. In 1771, the 
Rev. William Andrews was installed as the stated pastor. 
The Rev. Andrews, a native Englishman, had been a 
missionary among the Mohawks and meantime visited 
Schenectady which led to his appointment as the first 
rector. At the end of two years he resigned and settled 
in Virginia. He was succeeded by the Rev. John Doty, a 
graduate of King's College (now Columbia.) 

Rev. Doty was a man of ability and an Englishman in 
every pulsation of his heart, and held also to the strict 
forms of the English church. On account of his tenacity 
in the matter of prayers for the royal family and other 
offending features of the service. Rev. Doty was arrested 
but finally was released. He went to Canada and further 
services in St. George's were suspended until after the 
close of the war for independence. 



74 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

The war of the Revolution left St. George's church in a 
sad plight in all respects. First, the edifice was nearly a 
wreck. While the windows and doors were broken the 
building during this long period ending in 1782 had been a 
refuge for the stray animals of the community; besides the 
membership had diminished to so great an extent that 
there was hardly the nucleus of a society left. A few of 
the earnest churchmen, however, began the restoration of 
the church edifice to a condition suitable for services. The 
same Mr. Brown who aided so generously in the building 
of the church gave freely toward the rehabilitation. 

In 1790 the Schenectady parish was admitted into the 
union with the convention of the Protestant Episcopal 
church which strengthened it somewhat, but it was several 
years before a rector was engaged. In 1798 the Rev. 
Robert G. Witmore became the stated pastor of St. 
George's and also the church at Duanesburg. At the first 
election of the corporation following the revived activity 
Charles Martin and John Kane were chosen wardens. 
The Rev. Witmore resigned in 1801 and from this date 
until 1806 services were again held by missionaries and 
supplies from other parishes. 

The decayed steeple was removed in 1804 and replaced 
by another wooden tower. The belfry and spire were 
added in 1870. From 1806 to 1819 the Rev. Cyrus 
Steffins served the church efficiently and well. He was 
followed in 1821 by the Rev. Alexis P. Proal who con- 
tinued until 1836. The church was improved and the 
membership notably increased during his pastorate. 
He was succeeded by the Rev. Dr. Albert Smedes another 
man of ability under whose administration further 
improvements were made in the church. Two wings were 
added to the church and an adjoining building purchased 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 75 

for the Sunday school. The handsome parish house on 
the south has been added since. St. George's is now a 
strong and influential society. 

Out of this parent church other churches and missions 
have been established in the city. 

CHRIST CHURCH 

Christ church was the outgrowth of a Sunday School 
Mission, started about 1855 by the active ladies of St. 
George's Episcopal church. It was incorporated as Christ 
church September 23, 1867, and the corner stone of the 
wooden edifice was laid the same year, by the Rector of 
St. George's church. It was first opened for service 
March 1st, 1868. Rev. F. C. Wainright was the first 
rector. The building later was enlarged, the vestry room 
increased, a new chancel was built, and a steeple erected. 
The church has enjoyed a good degree of prosperity. 
Besides there is St. Andrew's Mission and St. Paul's 
Mission, each of which has been active and successful. 

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 

The trials and troubles experienced in forming and 
building the First Presbyterian church was not unlike that 
of its two predecessors in Schenectady. All were beset 
with many hindrances and almost heart-breaking dis- 
couragements, and they, as in all similar undertakings in 
those days, made slow progress. 

The Presbyterians, it seems, had at least the foundation 
of a society as early as 1735, but no fixed place of worship 
except such se^^dces as may have been held in the fort. 
Missionaries were coming and going in the region and to 
the best of information had some meetings in the village. 
It is more than likely too that the society had some 



76 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

co-o]:>erative arrangement with St. George's church 
authorities for the joint use of that church, because for a 
time both societies seem to have occupied it. This 
mutual relation began with the building, or beginning 
of the building of that church, but apparently the relation- 
ship continued not very long. Yet between 1760 and 1770 
the Presbyterians were worshipping in a definite chapel or 
building of some kind. 

The movement for the building of a c-hurch, howe^'er, 
took concrete form in 1769 when John Duncan, Jans 
Wilson, James Shuter, Andrew and Hugh Michel, Andrew 
McFarland, William W'hite and Alexander Merser, mem- 
bers of the society, united m the purchase of a church lot. 
They at once set about the building of a house of worship. 
The Dutch of the \'illage were in accord with the under- 
taking and contributed generously toward the project. 
The work of construction was soon begun but not com- 
pleted until 1773. It was an unpretentious structure 
apparently for the total cost was only $1800, and included 
in this were the items "2 Gallons West India Rum when 
cutting the timber" and "Rum and sugar when riding 
the timber", etc. Samuel Fuller and John Hall were the 
builders of the church. 

The Rev. Alexander Miller was the first stated minister 
who began his service as early as 1770. The Rev. Miller 
seems to have been a man of nuich earnestness and energ>^ 
in the work he had undertaken. He attracted non- 
members of the society and through his ability and 
popularity greatly strengthened the church. He minis- 
tered to the church until 1781, covering the trying and 
troublesome period of the War of the Revolution. This 
church, like the others suffered much damage during this 





THE DURHAM 

The later and larger craft of fifteen tons burden 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 77 

time and also lost in membership. From 1781 to 1787 the 
church relied on supplies from outside places. 

In 1787 the Rev. John Young was called to the church 
and during his pastorate grievous internal strifes developed 
which came near WTCcking the society. '';* He was dis- 
missed, however, in December, 1791. This was followed 
by occasional preaching until 1795. At this time the Rev. 
John R. Smith, who had become president of Union 
(Jollege, officiated also as pastor of the First church and 
through his welfare work and upbuilding ability the 
church took on new life and vigor. Four elders were 
chosen as follows: Alexander Kelly, John Taylor, 
Alexander Wamsley and John McAtyre. In 1796 the 
Rev. Robert Smith, a graduate of Princetown, was chosen 
to become pastor of the church. He, it seems, proved to 
be a valuable man for the church and society. Under 
his ministration the membership was greatly increased 
and the organization placed in a flourishing condition. 

The Rev. Smith resigned on account of ill health, after 
which Rev. Dr. Jonathan Edwards, Jr., who was then 
president of Union, supplied the pulpit for a time, but in 
1802 the Rev. William Clarkson was installed as pastor 
although there was strenuous protest against the choice 
by many of the members and it finally dcA eloped into an 
open war of the factions. Many families withdrew and 
the societj^ became weakened and quite disrupted. 
Another set of elders was elected or some changes made in 
the former board. It was composed of Alexander Kelly, 
Alexander Wamsley, John McAtyre, James Murdock, 
Joseph Shurtleff, Robert Loague, Willaim Dunlap, 
George Leslie and Caleb Lyon. The w^ar went on with 
increased fury until the Rev. Clarkson withdrew at the 
close of the first year. He was followed by the Rev. 



78 SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 

John B. Romeyn, son of the Rev. Romeyn who had served 
the Dutch church. Rev. Romeyn retired from the pas- 
torate in 1804. The church had become financially dis- 
tressed and was unable to pay the pastor's salary, although 
the membership was growing slowly. Rev. Nathaniel 
Todd who succeeded him in 1 805 resigned in less than one 
year because the church was unable to pay his small 
salary. 

About this time the Rev. John Joyce, an adherent of 
the Methodist faith, began to preach in the pulpit of the 
First as a temporary supply. It seems he proved to be a 
man of strength and influence in so much that many of the 
members wished to have him become the stated pastor. 
This again embroiled the members in a controversy. 
With the view of pacification another board of elders was 
chosen. These were Kelly, Wamsley, Daniel Chandler 
and Prof. Henry Davis, a member of the faculty of the 
college. 

Dr. Nott meanwhile had been elected president of 
Union and through his strength and influence many of the 
troubles were smoothed away and the organization given 
new life and courage. 

In 1809 the erection of a new church was begun, also 
the Rev. Alexander Monteith was chosen pastor. He 
labored in the church until 1815 after a record of marked 
upbuilding and expansion in all respects. He built the 
session house and established and built up an efficient 
Sunday School. 

The Rev. Monteith was succeeded by Rev. Hooper 
Cummings, a man with more eloquence than honesty, 
yet he seemed able to silence the war spirit within the 
church and in a measure cement the factions. From 1817 
to 1820 the pulpit was vacant again, the Rev. Erskine 



SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 79 

Mason coming to the church at that time, remaining only 
three years. Thenceforward until 1832 the church was 
ministered to by supplies. Good fortune brought to the 
church in May, 1833, the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Trumball 
Backus, a strong preacher, an earnest worker, with the 
spirit of peace and Christian uplift. He ministered to the 
church forty-three years during which period it grew and 
prospered both spiritually and financially. The church 
edifice was greatly enlarged and in many ways improved 
during this time to meet the needs of the increasing con- 
gregation. Dr. Backus was succeeded by the Rev. 
Timothy Darling, another useful and able preacher and 
pastor. The stability and success of the church has 
continued in a marked degree to the present time. 

The Presbyterians have four prosperous church organi- 
zations besides the First church. 

STATE STREET PRESBYTERIAN 

On Tuesday, October 25th, 1866, the first prayer meet- 
ing of this society was held. Dr. Backus of the first church 
presiding. About fifteen persons were in attendance. 

The meetings in a short time were so largely attended, 
that the private houses in which they were held were over- 
crowded. A small dwelling v%-as rented, the partitions 
were removed and fitted up for a place of worship. This 
building was first used December 23d, 1865. In July 23d, 
1877, work was begun on a chapel, which was finished 
October 10th and soon after dedicated. On April 4th, 
1869, the church was organized and George Alexander 
became the first pastor, and was ordained and installed 
January, 1870. The church is located on upper State 
street, corner Catherine. It is a brick edifice with an 
attractive appearance. 



80 SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 

Union Presbyterian church is located on Park avenue, 
United Presbyterian Avenue A, corner Mason street and 
the Third Ward Settlement Mission. 

FIRST M. E. CHURCH 

The seeds of the Methodist faith were first planted in 
Schenectady by Captain Thomas Webb as early as 1767. 
Webb was an Englishman in the military" service. About 
that time being stationed at Albany and being a zealous 
Methodist and a speaker of some ability he visited Schenec- 
tady and preached to the handful of adherents of that 
faith in the village. It is said that these meetings were 
held in a building standing on the east side of Church 
street. He appeared at these meetings in military dress 
and thereby attracted many to the meetings who were 
not naturally in sympathy with his doctrine. However, 
he made some converts by his preaching and laid the 
foundation for the church that came later. In spite of 
the derision and discredit placed upon the effort, the 
society of Methodists grew into an organization. 

Webb was followed in 1770 by George Whitefield who 
also aroused the people and added more to the list of 
Methodism. It seems that there was no stated preacher 
for the society until 1807 when Benjamin Aiken took 
charge. Services were then held in a building on Green 
street o-^Tied by Richard Clute. Several additions to 
the society were made at this time until the number of 
members made it possible to support the preacher. 
There was a church organization effected this year. 
At a meeting of the Conference the Schenectady cir- 
cuit was formed and Samuel Howe was appointed to 
preach at Schenectady once every four weeks. In the 
fall of 1807 the organization moved to a small building on 




THE RIGHT REV. JOHN WILLIAMS, D.D., LL.D., D.C.L. 

Rector St. George's Church, 1842 to 1848, and afterwards Bishop of Connecticut 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 81 

Liberty street which they occupied until the following 
spring meanwhile many being added to the membership. 

Rev. Seth Crowell was appointed in the spring of 1808 
during which time the congregation was housed in a build- 
ing on State street. In 1809 two preachers were sent to 
the little parish and it seems to have grown and flourished 
in good measure, because this year a plain little church was 
erected on the north east corner of Liberty and Canal 
streets. The rude church was used by the worshippers 
before the walls were completed, boards placed upon 
blocks of wood constituting the pews. This was com- 
pleted and served the church people until the time of the 
building of the Erie Canal, the land then being taken by 
the state. A new edifice was then erected on Union 
street near the present tracks of the New York Central 
Railroad. The church seemed to be fortunate in having 
earnest and able preachers from its beginning. Yet for 
some reason the society in 1816 ceased to be connected 
with the circuit, being reduced to a station in charge of 
Laban Clark. During his administration the church took 
on new life and moved forward to a high position in the 
circuit. The construction of the railroad forced the 
congregation out of its home again. It was sold in 1833, 
after which another church was erected farther east on 
Liberty street, this being completed in 1836. 

By the year 1868 the congregation had outgrown the 
Liberty Street building and steps were taken toward build- 
ing a larger and more modern church. The old church 
was sold to the Roman Catholics and became St. John's 
church. A building lot was purchased in 1869 at the 
corner of state and Lafayette streets and the corner stone 
of the new church was laid in Jmie, 1871. First a chapel 
was erected and occupied for services until the completion 



82 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

of the church in 1874, the cost of the building and ground 
being above $85,000. The church at present is one of 
the attractive edifices of the city. 

Besides the First church, there are ten other Methodist 
churches in the city all of which are efficient working 
forces for Christian advancement. 

German Methodist church was organized October 24th, 
1849. The first church was erected on Jay street on the 
site of the Congregational church, May, 1850, at the cost 
of $1500. The first pastor was I. I. Grau under whose 
pastorate the church grew in membership and influence. 
The present church on the comer of Union and Lafayette 
streets was erected in 1872. 

The Union Methodist is located on Palmer avenue near 
Union Street, Stanford Methodist, State street. Trinity, 
Brandywine and Eastern avenue, Grace Methodist, Third 
avenue, Fisher Memorial, Helderberg avenue, Broadway 
Methodist, corner Broadway and Thompson streets, 
Albany Street M. E. church. Memorial Methodist and 
the African Zion M. E. church. 

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 

The first Baptist society assumed form a considerable 
time after the denominations heretofore mentioned. It 
was 1821 when the initial movement was made toward the 
formation of a society. Like most of the others too the 
number of followers of the faith was small, yet in October, 
1822, a meeting was held at which it was decided to have 
a place for worship. At a council held on November 8 
of that year, Abigah Peek, John Lamb, Lewis Leonard, 
Joseph Carnell, J. Olmstead, Egenia Kincade and a Mr. 
St. John organized the First Baptist church, the Rev. St. 
John presiding. The organization was composed of 




REV. HORACE G. DAY, A.M. 

For fifty years pastor of First Baptist Church 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 83 

thirty-six members, twelve men and twenty-four women. 
For a time following this the meetings were held at private 
houses and in a school house located on Church street near 
State. Afterwards services were held in the court house, 
the society growing meanwhile without a pastor. 

In the fall of 1823 the Rev. Nathan N. Whitney who 
had been affiliated with the Dutch denomination became 
the pastor of the Baptist flock. The Sunday school was 
organized in 1823, also a lot secured and laid out for a 
burying ground. A building lot was also purchased in 
1825 on Center street, the corner stone of the first church 
being laid in the fall of that year. This year the Rev. John 
Cooper was installed as pastor, his salary being fixed at 
$150.00. As soon as the basement of the church was 
usable the services and Sunday school were held there. 
The church was completed in 1828, and the Rev. Rich- 
mond Taggart was called to the pastorate in 1830. He 
remained but a short time, however, the organization being 
unable to pay his salary and meet the maturing obligations 
upon the church debt. 

In 1831 Abram Gillette, a young man of energy and 
ability, took up the labors as pastor and achieved marvelous 
success in the expansion and upbuilding of the society 
and the church. Under his ministration the church 
capacity was increased to meet the needs of the growing 
congregation; in 1834 the seating capacity was doubled. 

The church was somewhat weakened in 1840 by the 
withdrawal of nearly forty of its members for the purpose 
of forming a church in Scotia. From that time until 1849 
the church seems to have been without a pastor. This 
year the Rev. Horace G. Day was called to take charge of 
the church. He proved to be a valuable man in the work. 
An era of prosperity attended his period of service which 



84 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

continued fifty years or until his death. In 1848 a 
larger house of worship was demanded to accommodate 
the membership. The property in Center street therefore 
was sold and the congregation moved to the Young Men's 
Christian Association for Sunday services. Here and in 
the Cameronian church on Center street the meetings 
were held until the completion of the basement or lecture 
room of the new church was ready for occupancy in 1853. 
The new church on Union street was completed and 
dedicated in 1856. At this time the society was free of 
debt, with some surplus money on hand and a strong 
organization. The society is much larger and stronger at 
present. 

From this parent church there have grown up six other 
churches all of which are active in Christian w ork and some 
of them are large and prosperous organizations. 

Emanuel Baptist church was organized in 1881. In 
1883 the society purchased a lot on Nott Terrace where a 
comfortable church was erected. The first pastor was 
the Rev. John C. Breaker who assumed charge in April, 
1882. Besides there are Calvary Baptist, Ontario street, 
Union street Baptist church. Tabernacle Baptist church, 
Robinson street, Swedish Bethany, Nott Terrace and 
Memorial Baptist church. 

ST. John's church 
St. John's, the first Roman Catholic church to be 
established in Schenectady, was organized in 1830. 
There were only about twenty people of that faith in the 
city at that time. The Rev. Charles Smith of St. Mark's, 
Albany, visited Schenectady and conducted services. 
A small wooden building was rented on Washington 
avenue near the Mohawk bridge. This building was 







tut-Ill '^^V.^U-rnTdniaikt' J , §^IJj/-,\^ f '/■■■,- k-,, 

l(J,Vlil.-^iroii; All.uiiv \ -4-~-v ^~N 



MCKll'l ISSUKU BY CALVIN MOkKls 
Who kept a tavern on the tireat Western Turnpike and ran a line of stages 








House in Front street in which Governor Yates was born in 1768. It has been 
considerably enlarged sinec the above date 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 85 

fitted up for temporary use until 1839. The church on 
Frankhn street was then completed and occupied, the 
number of worshippers having greatly increased mean- 
while. The Rev. John Kelly succeeded Father Smith as 
rector and during his ministration the congregation grew 
to the full capacity of the little church. In 1838 the Rev. 
Patrick McClosky was assigned to the parish and after him 
Rev. Daniel Falvey. Then came Fathers McGough, 
M. E. Clark and J. M. Scully. During the latter's 
pastorate in 1873 the parish purchased the Methodist 
church on Liberty street and soon thereafter St. John's 
convent was established. The church on Liberty street 
was used until the completion of the handsome and modern 
St. John's on Union street opposite the College was com- 
pleted in 1907. The old St. John's is now a mission. 

There are now ten Catholic churches in the city some 
of them having large membership. St. Joseph's German 
Catholic church is one of the early organizations to follow 
St. John's. 

ST. Joseph's church 
St. Joseph's German Roman Catholic church was 
organized by Rev. Father Theodore Noethen, from Albany 
who A'isited the German Catholics here and held services 
for them in St. John's church. On January 23d, 1859, 
about seventy-five members met in Gorrfried Blum's 
marble shop and resolved to build a church. On February 
20th, 1860, the large lot, corner State and Albany streets 
where the State Arsenal now stands, was purchased, but 
quarrels and lack of money afterward caused them to lose 
this location. After many attempts to get a church, 
Joseph Harreker, bought the old Cameronian frame 
church on Centre street. To this was added the sanctuary 



86 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

with other improvements. The church was dedicated the 
29th of June, 1862. About 1868 the east corner lot of 
State and Lafayette streets was bought and a church was 
afterward built upon it, the corner stone being laid July 
29th, 1877. 

Besides the two mentioned there are the church of the 
Immaculate Conception, corner Broadway and Thompson 
street; Sacred Heart church, Stanley street; St. Adalberts 
church. Crane street; St. Antonio di Patava church 
(Italian) Park Place; St. Columba's church, corner Craig 
and Emmett streets, St. John's on Franklin street; St. 
Mary's (Polish) Eastern avenue and St. Thomas, corner 
Pleasant street and Sixth avenue. 

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES 

There are three churches of this denomination. There 
are also Pilgrim church. State street and German Temple 
church. North College and Green streets. 

The First Congregational church (now the People's) 
church was recognized at a council of Congregational 
churches and pastors, April 24th, 1877. It had been 
holding religious services in Union Hall for sixteen months 
previous under the ministration of Rev. Henry H. North- 
rup. Services continued to be held in the Hall until the 
fall of 1879, when they removed to a chapel on Jay street. 
In the spring of 1880 the chapel and adjoining lot were 
purchased and on April 5, 1882, the new church was 
dedicated. The following year the adjoining chapel was 
erected. 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 87 

LUTHERAN CHURCHES 

The Deuthe Evangelische Freiendens Kirche, Franklin 
street, First English Lutheran, Summit avenue, Emanuel 
German Luthern, Congress street, Swedish Lutheran 
church, Steuben street. Trinity English Lutheran chapel, 
Furman street, Zion German Lutheran, Nott Terrace and 
St. John's German Evangelical, Howard street. 

The First church of Christ (Scientist) Parkwood Boule- 
vard. All Souls, First Unitarian church, is located comer 
Wendell avenue and Union street. The Universalist 
Society holds services in St. Paul's Temple. 

There are five Jewish societies and churches, the Centre 
Street Synagogue Independent Versin, South Centre 
street, Jewish Congregation Agudes Achim, the Jewish 
Synagogue and the Jewish Congregation Ohab Zedek. 
In addition to those there is the Advent Christian church. 
Brandy wine avenue. 




CHAPTER V 

EVENTS AND CONDITIONS LEADING UP TO THE MASSACRE 

ICHENECTADY had now been established 
a Httle more than twenty years, during 
which time the Dutch inhabitants by fru- 
gahty and industry had attained some degree 
of pecuniary independence. Along with 
it they had faced the struggles and hardships together 
with the perils attending frontier life in those days. 
Those who tilled the soil — and many of the villagers were 
husbandmen — labored with their gun at their side or 
established in the field a block house for asylum in times 
of danger. Yet in spite of this precaution many of them 
every year fell victims to the marauding bands of Cana- 
dian Indians or Indians and French together. 

The French during these years were animated by a spirit 
of intense hatred and revenge toward the Iroquois because 
of the latter's sullen indifference to their many overtures 
for an alliance, and their unshaken friendship for the 
Dutch and the EngHsh. Except for the protecting arm of 
the Mohawks at the door, the French, together with their 
Canadian allies, could have annihilated both Albany and 
Schenectady. Campaigns were formulated with this 
object in view, but in most instances never culminated 
in success. In 1665 a blow was aimed at Schenectady by 
this same enemy at which time the force for the onslaught 
reached within two miles of the village from the north, 
but were met there by their dogged enemy, the 
Mohawks. 




THE ABRAM YATES HOUSE 
Erected 1710 to 1720 



SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 89 

Governor M. De Courcelles of Canada on the 29th of 
December of the year above mentioned left Montreal with 
a force of six hundred volunteers with the intention of 
seeking revenge in the IVIohawk country and, after reaching 
within striking distance a group of them led a part of his 
force into an ambush killing and w^ounding many of them. 
In so distressing a plight was Governor De Courcelles 
placed on account of it that he w^as compelled to apply 
to the citizens of Schenectady for aid and shelter. And 
in the matter of provisions, the "best accommodations 
ye poor village afforded," was freely given but shelter to 
the arch enemies w^as denied for precautionary reasons. 
Some of the wounded men were taken to Albany for treat- 
ment, and the Governor with the rest of his volunteers 
retreated from the country. England, as a part of her 
scheme of empire building, claimed not only all the land 
in the Iroquois dominion but the Indians as her subjects, 
as well, while France insisted on her own sovereignty and 
ownership of the same territory and was ever the aggressor 
in the long contest for supremacy. 

Governor Nicoll in waiting to Arent Van Curler after 
the above occurrence commended the action of the citizens 
of Schenectady and stated that he hoped the French 
would be discouraged in attempting "to disturb you and 
the maquase." Governor Lovelace also in a letter wTitten 
in 1670, in which he speaks of the troubles and harass- 
ments of the allied enemies across the border, says : "they 
pretend it is no more but to advance the Kingdom of 
Christ w^hen it is to be suspected that it is rather the 
Kingdom of his Christian majesty." These marauding 
expeditions were invariably undertaken during the winter 
and for subtle reasons. At this season navigation on the 
Hudson was closed and the means of communication was 



90 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MGDERN 

therefore, retarded and almost endless time was required 
in getting needed aid from New York in times of distress. 

In 1689 Cornelise Viele, the interpreter of Schenectady, 
was taken prisoner by the French while on a trading trip 
to Canada. The knowledge of his capture reached the 
Mohawks who thought highly of Viele because he "hath 
done good service for us in travelling up and down in our 
country, and, we having a French prisoner, according to 
our custome, doe deliver him to the family of Armont 
(Viele) in his stead and room to wash of the tears of his 
wife and children." 

Although there were no acts of violence during the years 
1687 to 1689 to disturb the peace the constant rumors of 
impending trouble created a depression on the frontier. 
The relations between England and France were rapidly 
approaching a more critical stage. Catholicism and 
Protestantism, like the two nations that were contending 
for temporal control in the new world, were contending 
for supremacy in England. James II, King of England, 
being an ardent Catholic desired his country also to 
become Catholic. In December, 1688, he was compelled 
on account of this to abdicate the throne and seek asylum 
in France. This brought to the throne William of Orange 
and Mary, his wife, supporters of the Protestant faith. 

The news of this sudden overthrow of the ruling power 
sent a thrill of excitement through the little Province of 
New York, and produced also a condition bordering on 
chaos. The Province then contained not more than 
eighteen thousand population, scattered along the way 
from New York to Schenectady, a distance of one hundred 
and sixty miles. Schenectady then had a population of 
about five hundred, a good part of whom were inclined 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 91 

to give approval and support to the order of things thai 
followed. 

Jacob Leisler, captain of a train band in New York, an 
ignorant, unkempt liquor merchant, rushed to the fore 
under a declaration of religious liberty as against popery 
and tyranny as he proclaimed the cause. He succeeded 
in rallying to his aid the military force at the fort in New 
York and was thus enabled to seize the government, 
depose officials, cast them in [)rison and to terrorize the 
inhabitants of his little towTi, together with a great portion 
of the inland country. 

This brought into existence "the convention" which was 
formed in Albany in the early part of 1689, an organization 
in opposition to Leisler and his assumed power. This 
convention was composed of the Mayor and the aldermen 
of the city, together with the magistrates and chief 
military officers of the country. Leisler sought to 
strengthen his cause and gain adherents in Schenectady 
by the appointment of five new magistrates. His letter 
of January, 1690, containing the commissions and other 
instructions is herewith given: 

"Ye persons are Douw Aukes, Ryer Jacobse Schermer- 
horn, David Christofelse, ]VI\Tidert Wemp and Johannes 
Footman, and a Commission to call the people together 
to chose new captain, lieutenant and ensign and Towne 
Court, and yt ye said five Justices come here tomorrow 
to assist Mr. Jaochim Schaats and to Enter upon their 
office." Captain Sanders Glen and Sweer Teunise Van 
Velsen repudiated Leisler and his acts and adhered to the 
committee of safety or Convention organized for pro- 
tection. 

Owing to the persistent rumors at that time that an 
attack by the French and Indians was imminent the con- 



92 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

vention deemed it wise to request that a force of troops 
be sent to Schenectady from Connecticut, provided the 
country and Schenectady defray the expense and wages 
of the officers. 

"Upon which this following was Resolved, Capt. 
Sander Glen, Lieuts. Jan Van Eps, Johannes Sanders 
Glen, and Sweer Teunise doe vote in ye Behaff of ye 
Toune of Schenectady yt ye men be sent for from Connec- 
ticut and that they will bear there Proportiones of ye 
charge of ye Officers, their wages and maintain them 
according. Provided they be under Command and obey 
such orders and Instructions as they shall Receive from 
time to time from ye Convention of this City and Country 
and in ye time of there not sitting to ye mayor and alder- 
men of this City." 

The sentiment in Schenectady in regard to govern- 
mental affairs was divided, yet there was an inclination 
on the part of many to favor the issue for which Leisler 
claimed to be contending. Many citizens, meanwhile, 
became so much alarmed on account of the conditions that 
plans were made to seek safety elsewhere. Leisler, 
meanwhile, promised to secure to the citizens of Schenec- 
tady free trade with the Indians, the privilege of bolting 
flour and all liberties enjoyed by any other community. 
In the hope of further winning the allegiance of the citizens 
of Schenectady, Jacob Milbourne, Leisler's coadjutor, 
in December, 1689, addressed the following communica- 
tion to Adam Vrooman: 

"These are to advise and require all the Inhabitants of 
Schenectady and adjoining places to repair forthwith to 
the aforesaid City of Albany to receive their Rights and 
Privileges and Liberties in such manner as if the Govern- 
ment of King James the 2d had never existed or any of his 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 93 

arbitrary Commissions or any of his Governors illegal acts 
had never been executed or done. 

(Signed) Jacob Milbourne. 

Adam Vrooman declined to observe the order, however, 
and also refused to give it countenance. 

January, 1690, came with no abatement in the wide- 
spread terror of a possible attack. Meanwhile steps were 
taken to procure a band of scouts to go northward and 
report any information or intelligence of an approaching 
enemy. At this juncture a group of Mohawks reported 
at Albany as follows : 

"Brethren— We have been sent by ye 40 Maquose 
Souldiers now at Schenectady to acquaint ye that they are 
come to go out as Skouts toward ye lake and Otter Creek 
to wath ye Designs of ye Deceious ye Governor of Canada 
to see if he will come and Invade our Country again and 
if we Discern any Progresse of his we have four Indians 
yt wee send forth Post to give ye and our people advertise- 
ment." 

The Indians went out on their mission but failed to 
discover the approaching enemy. When they returned 
the wreck of Schenectady had been accomplished. 

THE MASSACRE, OR THE BURNING OF SCHENECTADY 

The story of the massacre or burning of Schenectady has 
filled many pages of history. The main causes for the 
disaster have been fully set forth in the preceding pages, 
yet without doubt one of the immediate inspirations lead- 
ing to the attack at the time was the precipitation of the 
rehgious element or influence into the Colonial civil affairs. 
It has been alleged too that Leisler's ill directed effort in 
fomenting religious strife and the responsive action of 



94 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

many of the citizens of Schenectady were inciting causes. 
Both the French, and the Indians, who had been won to 
the Catholic faith, were imbued with a rehgious frenzy 
that hesitated not to wreak vengeance on all heretics. 

John Alexander Glen, who was commander and a Jus- 
tice of the peace of the village, advised the inhabitants to 
take measures for protection and to have the entrances 
patrolled by guards. On account of his refusal, however, 
to espouse the Leisler cause, Glen was in ill favor among 
many of the villagers, to the extent that he was not per- 
mitted to enter the village. As a result of this disregard 
of counsel and the pervading apathy among many of the 
citizens, the gates on the fatal night of February 8, 1690, 
were left open with no more formidable sentinels than 
snow images. 

The invading force, comprising one himdred and four- 
teen Frenchmen and ninety-six Savages, under command 
of Lemoine de Sainte Helene and Lieutenant De Aillibout 
de Mantet left Montreal on the 17th of January making 
the journey of two hundred miles, a greater part of the 
distance through a dense wilderness, facing the intensely 
cold weather and snow lying from three to five feet deep 
upon the ground. On a Saturday night, February 8, the 
party arrived within two miles of the frontier settlement 
and there halted to hold a council. The march of twenty- 
two days bearing the heavy luggage coupled with the 
suffering experienced from the cold at first inclined them 
to abandon the attack and surrender themselves as a 
means of self-preservation. Meanwhile Indian scouts 
were sent to the village to take note of the conditions and 
the expediency of an immediate onslaught. Although the 
plan seems to have been to attack in the early morning, 
the favorable report of the scouts and the intensity of 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 95 

the temperature urged them on for an early invasion. At 
eleven that night when they reached the gates of the 
stockades there was quiet within and no guards without to 
oppose their entrance. There were two gates, the main 
one at the corner of Church and Front and the other at 
or near the corner of Church and State streets. Outside 
the stockades there were only a few houses which were 
scattered along the north side of the Albany path, or State 
street. At the northwestern corner of the village near the 
Binne Kil was the fort double garrisoned by a detachment 
of twenty-four men under command of Lieutenant Tal- 
mage. If in these circumstances there had been an ordinary 
sense of self-preservation and had sane action governed 
the villagers, an enemy much more formidable than the 
attacking one could have been successfully resisted, if not 
wholly so, at least for a time until aid could have been 
secured. 

The attacking party finding the village deep in slumber 
divided into two companies one to enter at either gate, 
but it seems the south gate could not be located, conse- 
quently the whole force approached by the main gate. 
Once inside they separated into squads in order to compass 
the work of slaughter, pillage and burning as speedily as 
possible. Before the sleeping settlers were aroused to the 
danger every quarter of the village was attacked simul- 
taneously, many meeting death wathout realizing the 
provocation for their slaughter. The people were awakened 
only to be put to death by the savages incited by the 
Frenchmen. A feeble effort at defense was made by a few 
persons but resistence in most instances was futile. Adam 
Vrooman living near the north gate, it is said, turned a 
volley of lead unto the invaders from the upper window 
of his dwelling until he exacted a promise from the com- 



96 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

mander that his life should be spared. His son, Barent, 
and a negro, however, were killed. 

In the space of two hours sixty persons were slaught- 
ered and many wounded. Dominie Tasselmaker, the first 
pastor of the Dutch church, was among the slain, although 
it was said that the intention was to spare him for the 
purpose of securing information. In face of the intense 
cold and the deep snow many citizens fled in the darkness 
with bare feet and thinly clothed to Albany, and it is said 
also that several of these suffered the loss of their feet by 
freezing, and others died from exposure. When the 
invaders had secured such plunder as they could carry, the 
burning was started and by morning two houses only 
inside the stockade and three situated on State street were 
left standing. The two houses left undestroyed within 
the enclosure were that of Captain Sander Glen whose 
house and proprety were spared by order of the Governor 
of Canada, and the other was the house of the widow 
Bradt, in which a wounded Frenchman was cared for. 
The enemy suffered the loss of two killed and one wounded. 

The French and Indians undisturbed occupied the 
village the rest of the night and at eleven o'clock the next 
(Sunday) morning began their retreat to Canada with 
twenty-seven prisoners and fifty horses bearing the booty. 
Nineteen of their number according to re jord perished on 
the retreat. 

The number and names of those killed are best told in 
the simple and pathetic language of those directly con- 
nected with the tragedy. The list is given herewith: 




COL. CHRISTOPHER VATES 
Capt. Provincial trcops under the King." Lieut. CoL Second Reg., Albany county in 1776. 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 97 

LIST OF YE PEOPLE KILD AND DESTROYED 

By ye French of Canida and There Indians at Skinnech- 
tady, Twenty Miles to ye Westward of x\lbany, Between 
Saturday and Sunday, ye 9th day of February, 1690. 

Myndert Wemp kild. 

Jan van Eps and his Sonne and 2 of his childred kild. 

A negro of dito Van Eps 

Sergt. Church of Capt. Bulls' C'opniy. 

Barent Jansse kild and burnd his Sonne kild. 

And Arentse Bratt shott and burnt and also his child. 

Mary Viele, wife of Dowe Aukes and her -2 children kild. 

And his Negro woman Francyn. 

Mary Aloff, wife of Cornelis Viele Junr, shott. 

Sweer Teunise shott and burnt, his wife kild and 
burnt. 

Antje Janz, doughter of Jan Spoor, kild and burnt. 

Item 4 Negroes of ye said Sweer Teunise ye same death 
all in one house. 

Enos Talmidge Leift of Capt. Bull kild and burnt. 

Hend Meese Vrooman and Bartholomew ^^rooman kild 
and burnt. 

Item 2 Negroes of Hend Meese ye same death. 

Gerrit Marccllis and his wife and child kild. 

Robt. Alexander, Souldier of Capt. Bulls, shott. 

Robt. Hessling shott. 

Sander ye sonne of gysbert gerritse, kild and burnt. 

Jan Roeloffse de goyer burnt in ye house. 

Ralph grant a souldier in ye fort, shott. 

David Christoffelse and his wife with 4 children all 
burnt in there house. 

Joris Aertse shott and burnt, Wm. Pieterse kild. 

Joh : Potman kild his wife and her skalp taken off. 



98 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

Dome Petrus Tasselmaker, ye Minister, kild and burnt 
in his house. 

Frans Tharmense kild. 

Engel, the wife of Adam Vrooman, shot and burnt her 
childe, the brains dashed out against ye wall. 

Reynier Schaets and his sonne kiled. 

Daniel Andries and George, 2 souldiers of Capt. Bull. 

A French girl, Prisoner among ye Mohogs, kild. 

A Masque Indian Kild. 

Johannes, ye sonne of Symon Skermerhorn. 

Three Negroes of Symon Skermerhorn. 
In all sixty. 
Leyst of ye Persones which ye French and there Indians 
have taken prisoners att Skinnechtady and carried to 
canida, ye 9th day of February, 1690: 

Johannes Teller and his negro. 

John Wemp, sonne of Myndt Wempt and 2 negroes. 

Symon, Abraham, Philip, Dirk and Claes Groot, all 5 
sonnes of Symon Groot. 

Jan Baptist, sonne of Jan Van Epps. 

Albert and Johannes Vedder, sonnes of Harme Vedder. 

Isaack Cornelise Switts and his Eldest sonne. 

A negroe of Barent Janse. 

Arnout ye sonne of Arnout Corn: Viele, ye Interp. 

Stephen, ye sonne of Gysbert Gerritse. 

Lawrence, sonne of Claes Lawrence Purmurent. 

Amour, sonne of Paulyn Janse. 

Barent, ye sonne of Adam Vrooman and ye neger. 

Claes, sonne of Frans Tharmense. 

Stephen, adopted sonne of Geertje Bouts. 

John Webb, a souldier Belonging to Capt. Bull. 

David Burt, belonging to ye same Compe. 

Joseph Marks, of ye same Compe. 
In all 27. 



SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 99 

AFTER THE BURNING 

Many of the citizens, as stated, fled to Albany and others 
to New York for safety. Those who remained looked 
upon the ruin and wreck of their thirty years of industry 
and frugality, all swept away in a night. More depressing 
still was the contemplation of the awful death toll that 
fate had exacted. In these conditions and circumstances 
the abandonment of the town was seriously considered. 

The following account in part of the circumstances and 
conditions was sent from Albany : 

"Albany, ye 9th day of February, 1690, 
"Die Sabbathi. 
"This morning about five o'clock ye alarm was brought 
here by Symon Schermerhoarn who was shott threw his 
Thigh yt ye French and Indians had murthered ye People 
of Skmnechtady; having got into ye Towne about 11 
or 12 a Clock there being no Watch Kept (ye inhabitants 
being so negligent and Refractary) and yt ye had nmch a 
doe to Escape they bemg very numerous. They fyred 
severall times at him at last threw his Thigh and wounded 
his horse and was come over Canatagoine to bring ye 
news." 

Another account on the fifteenth of the same month 
contains the following: 

"The Cruelties Committed at said Place no Penn can 
Write nor Tongue Expresse, ye women bigg with Childe 
Rep'ed up and ye Children alive Throwne into ye flames 
and there heads Dash'd in Pieces aganst the Doors and 
Windows." 

From a crudely composed "Ballad" written by Walter 
Wiflie, a soldier who apparently had some part in the 
occurrence, the following verses are copied: 



100 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

"The Village soon began to Blaze 

Which Shew'd the horrid sight: — 
But, O, I scarce can Beare to Tell 

The Mis'ries of that Night. 
They threw the Infants in the Fire, 

The Men they did not spare; 
But Killed All which they could find 

Tho' Aged or tho' Fair. 
O, Christe! In the still Midnight air, 

It sounded dismally 
The Women's Prayers and the loud Screams 

Of their great Agony." 

With the view of staying the movement among the 
survivors to forsake the town, and to inspire them with 
renewed courage, the Governor and Council gave assur- 
ance of protection as much as possible and also aid in 
rehabilitating the village, together with equipments and 
supplies. 

A new danger here presented itself, however. The 
Indians were ever disposed to ally themselves on the side 
of the strongest power, and this demonstration by the 
French was therefore fraught with the fear at least of evil 
consequences. Yet the Mohawks hastened to give 
assurance of their abiding friendship and loyalty. At a 
council held at Albany on the 25th of February, the 
appended address was delivered by the Sachims of the 
Mohawk Castles. 

"Brethren: Wee are sory and Extreamly pained for ye 
murther Lately Committed by ye French upon our 
Brethren of Shinnechtady wee Esteem this evill as if 
done to ourselfs being all in our Covenant chain. 

Wee Lament and Condole the death of so many of our 
brethren so basely murthered at Shinnechtady, we cannot 
accept it a gerat victory for it is done by way of Deceit." 



SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 101 

"Brethren: Doe not be discouraged this is butt a 
l)eginning of ye Warr we are strong enough the whole 
house have there Eyes fixed upon yours and they only stay 
your motion and will be ready to doe whatever shall be 
resolved upon by our Brethren." 

"Wee Recomned ye Brethren to keep good watch and if 
any Enemies come take care ye messengers be more 
speedily sent to us than lately was done we would not 
advise ye brethren quite to desert Shinnechtady but to 
make a fort there. The Enemy would be too glorious to 
see it quite desolate and ye Towne is not well fortifyed ye 
stockades are so short ye Indians can jump over them like 
a dogg." 

The small number remaining at the settlement were 
yjractically homeless and destitute. Also there was the 
o\ershadowing terror of going a-field to plant and sow 
another crop. There was little or no money and most of 
the utilities and horses were gone. An appeal was made 
to the New England authorities and from this source and 
New York valuable assistance was received. Many 
women and children were sent to New York to insure 
safety and housing among friends. So impoverished were 
the inhabitants that a trivial tax of $73.33 levied upon the 
township was regarded as being greater than could be 
borne and, therefore, they petitioned the Governor and 
Council to be relieved of the burden. 




CHAPTER VI 

THE PERIOD FROM 1690 TO 1710 

|ITH practically nothing of their accumula- 
tions left except the land, the surviving 
settlers had to begin anew the making and 
building of their fortunes and the village. 
The recent experience and the daily over- 
shadowing cloud of imminent danger from the same source 
gave little heart to face the new struggle. For the suc- 
ceeding ten years, as a consequence, small progress was 
made in the upbuilding of the place, and the increase in 
population was equally slow. Nor was there during this 
period a day that the husbandman was not harassed by 
rumors of trouble. 

On the 12th of May following the burning the magis- 
trates of Albany ordered that Captain Sanders Glen and 
others build a new fort on "a lot of grounde called by the 
name of Cleyn Isaacs" and that said fort be put in proper 
shape and garrisoned so as to afford protection for the 
town. Little or nothing however, resulted from the 
order. In 1704 Governor Cornbury issued an order that 
the pallisades on the west side of the village be removed to 
the bank of the Binne Kil. 



FORTS AT SCHENECTADY 

The catastrophe at Schenectady roused the entire 
Province to the need of more adequate protection, espec- 
ially on the frontier. Schenectady was most favorably 
located in regard to natural fortifications, the broad river 
surrounding it on two sides with the low lands as a pro- 




HON. JOSEPH C. YATES 

First Mayor of Schenectady and afterwards Governor 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 103 

tection on the third, afforded only one easy means of 
access, that from the north. 

The Uttle fort first located in the northwestern corner of 
the village was destroyed with other buildings on the 
night of the burning. The same year a second fort was 
built on the west side of State street near the western end 
where it intersects with Washington avenue. This was 
the fort ordered to be erected by Captain Sanders Glen on 
the Klein Isaacs land, or the land belonging to Isaac Swits. 
Jacob Leisler, the unchartered Governor, issued the 
following order for the building of this fort. 

"Whereas it is judged necessary for to defend Schenec- 
tady and to that purpose it is foimd requisite that a fort 
shall be erected to defend ye Inhabitant oppugn the 
Enemy if it should attack the same." 

In 1695, the stockades having decayed and therefore 
become unsafe, were ordered replaced, whereat the 
impoverished citizens rebelled on accoimt of their inability 
to bear the burden. Ryer Schermerhorn was doggedly 
defiant in the matter, in consequence of which Justice 
Sanders Glen fined him twelve shillings, and upon his 
refusal to pay said fine he was haled before the court in 
New York. Herewith is the drastic command of Justice 
Johannes Sanders Glen in relation to Schermerhorn 's 
action : 

"William by ye grace of God, King of England, Scot- 
land, France and Ireland, Kinge defender of ye faith to 
John Mebee and Dirack Brat Constables of Scanectedy, 
yu are in his Majestyes name to require and Commande 
Ryer Schermerhorn to pay ye sum of twelve shillings for 
ye Disobayinge my former warande in not adinge and 



104 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

arrestinge ye rebuilding of ye fort of Scanectey, Whd are 
for his Majestyes sarvis and ye Public good: I do order 
commande yu yt with in fouer days from ye dayte of thes 
presatits yt yu lead and bringe ye complyment of Stock- 
ades as I have given yu formur notis as is Aloted you for 
yur and yt you do mount and fix ye said Stockades answer- 
bell to ye rest of ye inhabitants at yr parill as yu will 
answer ye neglect given under my hande ye first day of 
Nouv in ye seventh year of his Majestyes reane Ano dom 
1695 

Johannes Sanders Glen, Justis." 

This same winter the soldiers constituting the garrison 
at the fort deserted in a body. Lieutenant Bickford then 
in command was compelled to seek volunteers from both 
Albany and Schenectady to pursue and capture the 
deserters. Harmen Van Slyck, Gerryt Simons Veeder, 
Peter Simons Veeder, Albert Veeder, Gerryt Gysbert 
Van Brakel, Jan Danielse Van Antwerpe, Dirck Groot, 
Jonas DeRoy, John Wemp, Davile Mascraft and Thomas 
Smith were the Schenectady volunteers. They soon 
overtook the deserters a few miles from the settlement, 
whereupon a battle ensued, five of the fleeing guards being 
killed. The others among the deserting soldiers were 
taken prisoners, tried by Court Martial in Schenectady, 
April 21, 1696, and were found guilty and condemned to be 
shot. 

In 1705 the new Queen Fort was erected at Front, 
Green and Ferry streets. The British barracks in con- 
nection with the fort extended along the east side of Ferry 
street nearly to Union street. When first built it consisted 
simply of a triple stockade one hundred feet square, with 
block houses at the four angles. After thirty years' service. 




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ST. GEORGE S CHURCH 
Erected 1759. Excepting one, it is the oldest church standing in the State of New York 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 105 

or in 1735 Queen Fort was rebuilt in larger proportions 
and in a more substantial manner, the superstructure being 
placed upon stone foundations. This continued until the 
breaking out of the French war in 1754 by which time the 
fort had fallen into decay again. John B. Van Eps and 
John Visger, both Justices of the peace, Nicholas Groot, 
Jacob Glen, Arent Bratt and others petitioned the Governor 
for a new fort. This fort was about twenty feet high and 
made of hewn timber. It is said that these were taken 
down during the war of the Revolution and were used in 
the construction of soldiers barracks built at the south 
corner of Union and Lafayette streets. This year, 1754, 
the Assembly passed an act for the raising of $7,500 for 
fortifying the village, but the war passed with little 
improvement to the fort. The fortifications were some- 
what strengthened during the Revolutionary War, how- 
ever, but after its close, they went to decay again. The 
old fort was finally removed and the land sold. This 
brought to a close Schenectady's forts and fortifications. 
After the signing of the Ryswick treaty of peace, 
September 2, 1697, between England and France, there 
was a short space of calm and restfulness spread over the 
Mohawk valley, and ihe little frontier settlement had an 
impulse of courage. It was little more than this because 
the war was soon on again and continued until 1713. 
Following this, however, there was a period of nearly 
thirty years free from violence or hostilities between the 
waring nations. Meanwhile the citizens of Schenectady 
devoted themselves to industry and the rebuilding of 
their lost fortunes. During this time too the forts and 
fortifications were neglected and, therefore, fell into decay. 
When the Old French war of 1744 came on the village in 
consequence found itself dangerously weak in the means of 



106 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

defense. Many citizens were impressed into service 
in this war, which added greatly to the difficulty experi- 
enced in the matter of measures for home protection. 
During this time every able-bodied man was compelled to 
serve on picket duty and no family outside the stockades 
was safe, except it had refuge in a block house. This 
period of strife continued until 1748, after which there was 
another brief interval of something like peace, which 
lasted until the final French and English war of 1753, 
which ended with the peace treaty of 1763. At this time 
the French ceased to contend further for supremacy. 

It was in the closing year of the former war, 1748, that 
the battle of the Beukendal, or the massacre, occurred. 

THE BEUKENDAL MASSACRE 

While this event in no wise paralleled the massacre of 
1690 in the village, it terminated in a most disheartening 
disaster. This, in contradistinction to the former, was a 
battle waged at midday between citizens and a party of 
French and their Indian allies under command of Le Siur 
Chevalier de Repentighy. It occurred on July 18 of the 
above mentioned year. 

In the early part of the day Daniel Toll, Dirck Van 
Vorst and a negro started up through Beukendal, or 
Beechdale, a little distance west of Schenectady, in search 
of some horses that had strayed away. Soon after their 
departure the men working on the farm heard shots in the 
direction whence the searchers had gone and suspecting 
the cause, they hurried a messenger to Schenectady to give 
warning. Lieutenant Darling in command of the troops 
at the fort, at once set out for the scene of trouble followed 
closely by a hastily assembled force of citizens of all ages 
armed for a conflict. 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 107 

Upon their arrival at Beechdale they found themselves 
trapped in an ambuscade and face to face with more than 
one hundred French and Indians. Both the soldiers and 
the citizens plunged into the battle against a superior and 
savage force. The battle continued for some time when 
the defenders of the home retreated to and took refuge in 
the Abram DeGraff house, situated nearby, leaving twenty- 
six slain in the fight. This little dwelling served as a 
blockhouse and once inside they barred the doors, tore 
boards from the house under the roof, thus converting it into 
a fortress in which to continue the battle. In the midst 
of the battle Col. Glen arrived with a few additional 
troops, whereupon the enemy hastily retreated followed 
by all who were able to march. Dirck Van Vorst, who 
had accompanied Toll in the search for the horses was 
captured, tied to a tree and left in charge of two young 
Indians from whom he made his escape. 

At the end of the battle twenty-six of the soldiers and 
citizens were killed, eleven of them scalped, and twenty- 
five taken captive to Canada. In addition to bemg 
scalped the bodies of the slain were stripped of their 
clothing, except one, namely Adrian Van Slyck. The 
bodies of the slain were then removed to Schenectady and 
placed in the Mabee house, which was then on Church 
street. Some of those taken as prisoners later returned 
from Canada and a part of them remained with the 
Indians. The killed were: Capt. Daniel Toll, Frans van 
der Bogert, Jr., Jacob Glenn, Jr., Peter Vrooman, Adam 
Conde, J. P. van Antwerpen, Cornelius Viele, Jr., Nicholas 
DeGraff, Adrian Van Slyck, John A. Bradt, John Marinus, 
Daniel van Antwerpen, Lieut. John Darling and seven of 
his men. 



108 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

Wounded; Ryer Wemp (Wemple,) Dick Van Vorst, 
Robinson, and Willson and many others. 

Prisoners : Lewis Groot, Johanus S. Vrooman, Harmen 
Veeder, Isaac Truax, Albert and John Vedder, John 
Phellps, Frank Connor, Harnianus Hagedom, Nicholas 
Viele, William DeGraff, Ryer Wemp. 

THE SCOTCH HIGHLANDERS 

During this last war between England and France a 
regiment known as the Scotch Highlanders were a con- 
spicuous element and seem to have had a prominent part 
in the campaign. Their unusually large physique and 
peculiar manner of dress made them attractive figures 
along the Mohawk valley. This "Black Watch" was 
stationed at Schenectady, 1856-1857, although as stated 
below the frontier town was ill-prepared to care for so 
large a body of troops. 

Sims says in his history of Schoharie County that at 
the date mentioned Lewis Groat was living in the home- 
stead with its farm and grist mill at Cranesvillage thirteen 
miles west of Schenectady. On the afternoon of a sum- 
mer's day in 1755, two hundred Highland troops clad in 
rich tartans passed up the valley on their way to Fort 
Johnson six miles above, then the residence of Gen. (Sir) 
William Johnson. 

The following is an extract from a letter from Loudon to 
Pitt, New York, 25th April, 1757: "The Highlanders 
were set in motion from Schenectady. . . they 
marched without tents and lay in the woods upon the snow, 
making great fires and I do not find the troops have 
suffered. . . We have on that River (Mohawk) at 
Schenectady and up to the German Flats, the Highland 
Regiment upwards of a thousand men," etc. I have been 




THE REV. WILLIAM PAYNE, D.D. 

Rector St. George's Church from 1848 to 1885 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 109 

unable to find any Schenectady records of this period. It 
is said that Schenectady was only a frontier village in 1756 
and not large enough to take care of a regiment, and it 
seems to be a fact from the reference given above that 
only a part of the thousand men were stationed here as it 
states that the Regiment was stretched along the Mohawk 
from Schenectady to the German Flats, but that it was a 
station for troops is proven by a list in the Public Record 
Office of the winter quarters for the troops in America for 
1758." "The Black Watch at Ticonderoga," by F. B. 
Richards. Proceedings of N. Y. State Histor. Ass'n. 
Vol. 10. Page 374. 

THE OLD FORT 

The Schenectady Reflector under date of February 19, 
1841, in speaking of old cities and places or points therein 
that are intimately associated with the lives of the inhabi- 
tants, and bear more or less the impress of their characters, 
contains the following which is an interesting addition to 
the main history previously told: 

"Among these may properly be numbered the Old Fort 
which comjirises that jmrt of the town lying adjacent to 
and formed by the intersection of Front, Ferry and Green 
streets. It derives its name from the rude fortifications 
which in the year 1734 were erected by the inhabitants as 
a protection from threatened invasion and which stood in 
the open space formed by this intersection. These forti- 
fications consisted principally of a block house formed of 
squared timbers and sufficiently spacious to aflford safety 
and shelter 'in the hour of utmost need' to the whole 
population of that early day. It thus became dignified 
with the name of a 'Fort,' although its armanent con- 
sisted of but several small pieces of artillery and it w^as 



110 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

better able to resist the encroachment of a savage though 
inexperienced for than to endure the siege of bombardment 
of more modern and scientific warfare. It occupied its 
position for many years and was finally dismantled at the 
commencement of the Revolutionary War when its mater- 
ials were used in the erection of barracks for troops at 
the head of what is now called Liberty street but which has 
also long since disappeared. At that early day this 
quarter formed one of the extremities of the town and with 
the exception of a few cultivated fields which the necessi- 
ties of the inhabitants had caused them to occupy, all 
beyond it lay in its original wilderness. 

"The Old Fort has long since been dismantled, the 
forests have disappeared before the woodman's axe, and 
the narrow boundaries of the old town extended upon 
every side; yet even to this day does the quarter which 
bears its name exhibit in its appearance and in the manners 
of its inhabitants some features of the 'olden time.' In 
its immediate vicinity are yet to be found in excellent 
preservation a few remains of the architecture of the 
seventeenth century as exhibited in the fronting gable 
end, the peaked roof, the projecting upper story, the small 
tile, and the antique window of the buildings of that 
period." 

About Revolutionary War times the old Dutch customs 
and manners began to disappear and new elements and 
different nationalities intermingled with the Dutch, with 
the result that old Schenectady gradually became changed 
and modernized. 

NAVIGATION — BOATING ON THE MOHAWK 

Schenectady by reason of its location early became a 
place of much commercial consequence. When ship 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 111 

commerce began it was at the foot of navigation for the 
western country. This began as early as 1715 or 1716 and 
increased rapidly as trade extended into the new country 
westward. By a decision of the highest tribunal in the 
Province in 1727 free trade was opened to all, which gave 
marked stimulus to boating and transportation. There 
were no highways of any account for land transportation, 
whereas by means of the Mohaw k water connection could 
be made with the St. Lawrence and the great lakes to the 
western country. Schenectady from this time became the 
entrepot for all the western region. On account of the 
impassable falls on the Mohawk between Schenectady and 
the Hudson river, the foot of navigation was at Schenec- 
tady, thus constituting it the most important town in the 
Pro\'ince outside of New York. This prestige in ship 
commerce continued more than one hundred years. 

Both travel and commerce increased rapidly after 1727 
as trade reached out and settlements were made in the 
great region westward. Goods were received in bulk at 
Albany and from thence were transported by wagon to 
Schenectady for shipment, while goods from the west 
bound for ports east of Schenectady were likewise carried. 
This early necessitated the building of good roads between 
the two points of shipment. 

In the early period of river navigation small bark or log 
canoes, similar to those of the Indians, were used. They 
were light, yet strong enough to carry a considerable 
cargo. These were usually propelled by one or two men 
sitting in the bottom of the boat using paddles. Upon 
reaching the riffs these men waded in the water and pushed 
or pulled the boat over to deeper water, also at portages 
they carried both the boat and the cargo to the beginning 
of navigable water again. From 1716 to 1720 there were 



112 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

above thirty of these crafts in service on the Mohawk, and 
by 1724 the number had increased to three hundred and 
twenty-three. 

By this date or soon thereafter the volume of trade and 
transportation had become so great that the flotilla were 
taxed beyond their capacity, thus demanding larger and 
stronger boats. This brought into service the bateaux 
which were much larger and were paddled, towed or poled 
by eight or ten men who often walked along the shore or 
waded where the water was shallow. Channels through 
the riffs were made by throwing up the stones, (or dredg- 
ing) from the chosen course. In time the channel or 
course became definitely fixed and rigidly followed. Later 
the western Inland Lock and Navigation Company, in 
which many citizens of Schenectady were interested, was 
organized to build dams and short canals around riffs and 
shallow places. This auxiliary greatly facilitated naviga- 
tion and made possible further enlarged craft to handle 
the increasing volume of business. As a result of this a 
continuous waterway from the Mohawk through Wood 
Creek, Oneida Lake and the Oswego River to Lake 
Ontario and the farther western lakes was opened. 

The bark canoes and the bateaux were succeeded by the 
Durham which had quite the appearance of a sea-going 
craft. This was a strong, broad flat bottomed boat with 
straight sides, with decks fore and aft. The balance of the 
craft was open, much like some of the canal boats of today, 
and in this opening the cargo was carried. She was rigged 
with sails, yet at the lack of breeze recourse for propelling 
power was had in the pole or the muscle of the men in 
pushing the boat over hard places. The capacity of the 
Durham reached from fifteen to twenty tons. 




"W 



«l 




-^-^-, 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 113 

About Revolutionary War times the Albany and 
Schenectady Turnpike Company constructed a stone 
trainway from the former place to the Binne Kil at 
Schenectady in order to better transport the enormous 
tonnage of goods and merchandise both eastward and west- 
ward. 

Before this date many settlements had been effected 
along the Mohawk and still farther west, while trade had 
extended along Lake Erie to Michigan. The first mer- 
chant to settle west of Schenectady was Major Jellis 
Fonda. His store and residence were at old Fort Schuyler, 
now Utica. Potash, ginseng root and peltries constituted 
the bulk of the trade. 

During all this period the Binne Kil at the western 
outskirt of Schenectady was the scene of great activity in 
ship commerce. This harbor was daily choked with cargo- 
laden craft both inbound and outbound. The banks of 
the Binne Kil were lined with wharves and warehouses in 
which many men were employed. It is said that at least 
three hundred families also derived their support from the 
transportation of freight between Schenectady and 
Albany. Moreover, Schenectady was the boat building 
centre. There were many men and companies engaged in 
the industry. Among them were the Van Slycks, the 
Marselises, Veeder and Peeks, Vrooman and Van Eps and 
others, while at the wharves were the freighting companies 
of Yates & Mynderse, Jacob S. Glen & Co., the Stephen N. 
Bayard Company, Walton & DeGraff and Lusher & 
McMichael, beside others. 

The first daily passenger packet boat line on the river 
was established in 1815 by Eri Lusher. The boat was 
similar in style to the Durham; it had a cabin midship well 
fitted up for comfort and carried about thirty passengers. 



114 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

It plyed between Schenectady and Utica, requiring two 
days for the upstream trip and thirteen hours for the 
return. All this business, prestige and glory departed 
early in the nineteenth century, as will be told later on in 
this history. 

EARLY FERRIES 

In the early days of the community and the Province 
the matter of building a bridge over the Mohawk was both 
a problem and a proposition that could hardly be con- 
sidered, therefore other means for crossing the broad 
stream were brought into service, and this was the ferries. 
The first ferry was that at the north end of Washington 
avenue where later the Mohawk bridge was erected. 
This ferry continued in use until 1768, at which time it was 
changed to the foot of Ferry street. Ferry street at that 
time, however, had not yet been opened north of Front 
street, but upon the ferry being established there, it was 
opened through to the river bank. 

This ferry was owned by the Borough of Schenectady 
and ferry charges were a part of the borough's income. 
This continued until 1795 when the ferry was leased to 
Abram Oothout for the sum of fifty pounds a year. In 
1797 there were three ferries, these being designated as the 
upper, the middle and the lower ferry. The upper ferry 
at Washington avenue was then kept by Jan Baptist Van 
Eps, and the middle ferry by Volkert Veeder, while the 
third or lower ferry was kept by John Baptist Van Vorst. 
Later, when the Mohawk bridge was erected a compromise 
was effected whereby the bridge company took over the 
Washington avenue ferry right, while the others were legis- 
lated out of existence in 1804, when the bridge charter 





1 


i 




m 


la 


mf^mi.'^' 




1 





SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 115 

was granted. The lower ferry continued in operation, 
however, until the fifties when a bridge was constructed 
at that point whereupon the ferry ceased business. 

BRIDGES EARLY AND LATE 

From the records in relation to public improvements it 
is probable that the first bridge in Schenectady was that 
on Mill Sand Kil on Water street. This was near Sweer 
Teunise Van Velsen's grist mill. Van Velsen had the sole 
right in those days to bolt flour, a privilege long denied 
Schenectady in the days of favoritism. This bridge was 
called the Towti Bridge and was built as early as 1701, 
possibly a little earlier. 

In 1716 there was a bridge across the Spareburgh Sand 
Kil, near the Brandywine mill on the old road to x\lbany. 
This was known as Spareburgh bridge. In 1736 there was 
also a bridge over the Poenties Kil on the bouwiand about 
two miles west of the city. It was called Johannes Teller's 
bridge. In 1767 a bridge was built over Cowhorn Creek 
on Albany now State street, and was known as John 
Baptist's bridge. About this time too a bridge was erected 
by Simon Groat over Hansons Kil, College brook, now 
Romeyn street. 

The first great bridge was that erected about 1797 or 
1798 over the Mohawk at the foot of Washington street, 
and when nearly completed the structure was blown over 
by a high wind, being rebuilt on piers in 1808. 

In 1808 the original Mohawk bridge was erected. It 
was a suspension bridge constructed wholly of wood nine 
hundred feet long and picturesque in appearance. It was 
designed by Theodore Burr, a bridge architect of unusual 
ability. It was erected by the Mohawk Bridge Company 



116 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

as a toll bridge with two driveways. It was suspended by 
chords made of heavy planks about a foot wide and three 
feet deep. It possessed remarkable strength and endur- 
ance. Later this bridge was enclosed on the sides and 
covered, having a small skylight in the roof for light by 
day and at night two small oil lamps sufficed to light the 
driveway on either side. 

In 1874 the town of Glenville purchased the old bridge 
and replaced it by a more modern steel structure upon 
broad stone piers. It still continues as a toll bridge to all 
except citizens of that town, although some action has 
been taken by the State to purchase same and make a free 
state highway, yet it has not become effective. 

Volney Freeman about 1855 erected a bridge over the 
Mohawk some distance east of the old Mohawk bridge. 
This has been replaced twice on account of its destruction 
by floods and ice. In 1879 this bridge also was purchased 
by the towm of Glenville. 

OFFICIAL RESIDENTS OF SCHENECTADY IN EARLY DAYS 

Residents of Schenectady had an active part in public 
affairs in early times, many of them holding conspicuous 
positions of trust and importance. 

Martin Krigier was a delegate on the 26th November, 
1653, to the first Convention ever held in the New Nether- 
lands. 

Loudovicus Cobes was sherifiP in 1679 of Albany County, 
of which Schenectady was then a part. He was also 
County Clerk of Albany Assembly in 1690. Karl Hansen 
Toll was member of the General Assembly in 1615, 1626. 
Jacob Glen was member of the General Assembly in 1726, 
1727, 1728, 1748, 1750. Arent Bradt was member of the 
General Assembly in 1737, 1743, 1745, 1748. Abraham 
Glen was member of the General Assembly, 1743 to 1745. 
Nicholas Schuyler was member of the General Assembly 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 117 

in 1727 and 1728. Jacob Van Slyck was member of the 
General Assembly in 1750-1752. Isaac Vrooman was 
member of the General Assembly in 1759, 1761. Ryer 
Schermerhorn was member of the General Assembly in 
1761. Jacobus Mynderse was member of the General 
Assembly from 1752 to 1775. Nicholas Groot was mem- 
ber of the General Assembly 1761-1768. Henry Glen was 
member of the First, Second and Third Provincial Con- 
gress, 1775-1776, He was also member of Assembly in 
1786 to 1810; and served as a member of the Third, 
Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Congress of the United States, his 
service extending from 1793 to 1802. Harmanus Peek was 
member of Sixteenth Congress of the United States from 
1819 to 1821. William North was member of the Assem- 
bly 1792 to 1810, and was several times Speaker of that 
body. In 1798, during a recess of the Legislature, he 
was appointed a Senator of the United States by Governor 
John Jay, to fill a vacancy occasioned by the resignation 
of Jolui Closs Hobart, who had been appointed Judge of 
the United States District Court of New York. During 
the Revolutionary War General North was the Aid of 
Baron Steuben. Joseph Shurtliff was member of Assembly 
from 1797 to 1813, James Boyd was member of Assembly 
1811-1812; John Young, 1811-1812; Alexander Combs, 
1812-1813; Joseph ShurtUff, 1812-1813; Abraham Van 
Ingen, 1814; Lawrence Vrooman, 1814-1815; John 
Victory, 1815-1817; Harmanus Peek, 1816; Harry Fryer, 
1816; Harmanus Van Slyck, 1817; Daniel L. Van Ant- 
werp, 1818; Simon A. Veeder, 1818; James Frost, 1819; 
Simon A. Groot, 1819; Christian Ha verly, 1820; Marinus 
Willett, 1820; Richard McMichael, 1821; Gerrit Veeder, 
1821; James Walker, 1822; John F. D. Veeder, 1822. 

Robert Yates, a la^vyer of eminence, was a member of 
the First, Second, Third and Fourth Provincial Congress 



118 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

of New York; also a member of the first Convention of 
New York in 1777, to frame a constitution. At this 
convention he was one of the committee to draft the same. 
Afterwards he was Associate Justice of the Supreme Court 
of New York, and finally its Chief Justice, his term expiring 
by the constitutional limit of age. Mr. Yates was a 
member of the Convention of 1788 to ratify the Federal 
Constitution. 

Rinier Mynderse was Senator under the first Constitu- 
tion, 1777 to 1781. John Sanders was Senator under the 
first Constitution, 1799 to 1802, and member of the Coun- 
cil of Appointment in 1800, His associates were DeWitt 
Clinton, Ambrose Spencer and John Roseboom. John 
Jay was then Governor and the presiding officer. Simon 
Veeder was Senator under the first Constitution from 1804 
to 1806. Joseph C. Yates was Senator under the first 
Constitution from 1806 to 1808, when his seat became 
vacant by his acceptance of the post of Judge of the 
Supreme Court of the State of New York. In 1822 he 
became Governor of the State. Henry Yates, Jr., was a 
Senator under the first Constitution from 1810 to 1814, and 
from 1818 to 1822. He was also a member of the Council 
of Appointment in 1812-1818, when Daniel D. Tompkins 
was Governor. 

Gerrit S. Veeder was the first Judge of the Schenectady 
Court of Common Pleas, being appointed soon after the 
organization of the County in 1809. 

William James Teller was the first Surrogate of Schenec- 
tady County being appointed in 1809. 

Henry Yates, Jr., and John Sanders were the first mem- 
bers from Schenectady County to the Convention to 
frame the second Constitution for New York, which was 
adopted in February, 1822. 




CHAPTER VII 

Sf'IIENECTADY A BOROUGH — MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS 

iCHENECTADY now for more than a hundred 
years had struggled and borne the brunt of 
the hardships, attacks and disasters incident 
to the frontier town. In face of these she 
had made substantial progress in building 
and industry and had also become a place of much impor- 
tance in the commercial affairs of the Province. Yet she 
had no special privileges, no civil or political rights or 
identity as a corporate body of citizens. Owing to the 
vast shipping and boat building industry Schenectady had 
increased rapidly in i)opulation and among the newcomers 
were many foreigners of different nationalities. In order 
to administer the affairs and safeguard the interests of all 
therefore the magistrates and the citizens desired inde- 
pendence and the administrative power vested in a city 
or borough charter. 

On the 11th of x\pril, 17(53, therefore, they petitioned the 
Governor and Council for a city or borough charter. 
Herewith in part is the petition with the signatures of the 
village officers attached : 

"To the Hon. Cadwallader Golden, Esq., his Majesties 
Lieut. Governor and Commander in Chief of the Province 
of New York and the Territories thereon depending in 
America, in Council." 

The petition of the principal inhabitants of the Township 
of Schenectady whose names are subscribed to the Schedule 
thereunto annexed, in behalf of themselves and the rest 
of the Inhabitants of the said town. 

Humbly Sheweth; 



120 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

"that the town of Schenectady is an ancient town situate 
on the Mohawk river and with the Lands thereunto 
belonging, is thus described in the respective Grants 
thereof: Beginning at the Maques River by the town of 
Schenectady and from thence runs on both sides of the 
River to a Certain place called Canquavieeny" and from 
the said Town of Schenectady down the River four English 
miles." "That the said town from its advantageous situa- 
tion on the River, the only Communication by water to 
the numerous Tribes of Indians to the West, has long been 
the place where all goods intended for the Indain trade 
have been embarked, and at which all the returns have been 
unladen :— that this intercourse with the Western Nations 
and the extent of the important commerce with them has 
long occasioned not only a great increase of the Inhabitants 
of the said town and the parts adjacent, but also a vasi 
resort of others employed in carrying on the trade, all of 
which have for some years been highly augmented by the 
communication and effort of the various fortresses occu- 
pied by us in these extended countries, that amongst so 
great a concourse of people many crimes and excesses are 
frequently committed to the great Prejudice of his Majes- 
ties Subjects and disturbance of the Peace which it is to be 
feared will increase for want of Sound wholesome Regula- 
tions in the Government of the said Town." 

"John Fisher, 1 
John Glen, Jr., [Justices. 
Isaac Vrooman. ' 
B. Vrooman, 

Minister of the Gospel. 
Jacobus Van Slyck, Coll. 
Joseph R. Yales, 

Town Mayor." 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 121 

The petition was laid before the Governor and Council 
April 19, 1764, when Albany again sought to defeat the 
measure because it was a movement in the direction of 
independence for Schenectady. However, on the 23d day 
of October, 1765, Lieutenant Governor Cadwalder Golden 
granted a borough charter under the name of the "Borough 
town of Schenectady, and the Mayor, Aldermen and 
commonalty of the said borough town of Schenectady one 
Body Politick and corporate by the name and title of the 
Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the Borough town 
of Schenectady." 

The first officials, as named in the charter, were as 
follows: Mayor, Isaac Vrooman; Recorder, John Dun- 
can; Aldermen, Jacobus Van Slyke, John Glen, Jr.; John 
Sanders, Daniel Campbell, John Visger and John B. 
Van Eps. There were an equal number of assistants as 
follows: Garret Lansing, Rynier Myndertse, Ryer 
Schermerhorn, Tobias Ten Eyck, Cornelius Cuyler and 
Herman Bratt; Town Clerk, Thomas Mcllworth; Cham- 
berlain, Christopher Yates; Assessors, Isaac Marselis and 
Isaac Swits; Collector, Barent S. Veder; High Constable, 
Richard Collins; Sub Constables, Thomas Murray, 
Hermanns Terwilliger, John Van Vorst, Charles Dennison, 
James Dunlap and John Wasson, Jr.; Sergeant of the 
mace, Alexander Campbell. 

The mayor, recorder and town clerk were appointive 
offices and incumbents of these offices were removable by 
the Governor and Council. The aldermen and assistants, 
together with the collector and the constables were to be 
elected by the votes of the freemen each year on the feast 
day of St. Michael, the Arch Angel. The mayor and 
aldermen named the high constable and chamberlain, 
while the mayor selected the sergeant of the mace. The 



122 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

mayor and three or more aldermen and as many assistants 
had the power to promulgate ordinances and laws for the 
government of the borough; also for "regulating the 
watermen and ferriage, and for the preserving and selling 
of the lands of Schenectady." 

The next plank in the charter seems to be an open viola- 
tion of the very principal for which they were struggling — 
namely, liberty. Here is the declaration: 

"The Freemen of the borough are to be persons of such 
lawful age as have been born therein, or such as have 
resided therein ten years previously, or such as have had 
that privilege granted by the Common Council ; and none 
but freemen are allowed to use any art, trade or mystery, or 
to expose for sale any maimer of goods or wares at retail 
under penalty of five pounds." The mayor, recorder, 
aldermen and assistants met in December following to 
hear the charter read. The call for this meeting was as 
follows : 

"Isaac Vrooman, Esq., Mayor & Jno. Duncan, Esq., 
Recorder of the Borough town of Schenectady as appointed 
by charter bearing date Oct. 23 last, is now arraived, 
Desires their compliments to Ryer Schermerhorn, Esq., 
Assistant Alderman for said Borough & Beggs the favor 
of his Company at the House of Alexander Campbell 
Tavernkeeper, on Monday Next the 2nd December, at 
Ten o'clock in the forenoon in order to Take the Oath of 
Office and be present at reading of The Charter. Novem- 
ber 29th, 1765." 

They apparently held the meeting on the date indicated, 
but there is no record of a subsequent meeting of the 
borough officials ever being held: nor of there having 
been an election of new officers as prescribed in this 
very complex charter. They probably rested in content- 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 123 

ment with the thought that a step had been made toward 
complete emancipation. 

SCHENECTADY IN 1769 

Herewith is a description of Schenectady in 1769 by 
Richard Smith in his Journal of "A Tour of Four Great 
Rivers": 

"May 12, 1769. Lodged last Night at Clinch's in 
Schenectady, a very good Inn and the Landlord intelligent 
and obliging. The Towti according to our Conjecture 
counts about 300 Dwelling Houses besides Out Houses, 
standing in three Principal streets nearly East and West; 
thlpse are crossed by f our fr five other Streets. Few of the 
Buildings are contiguous, some of them are constructed in 
the old Dutch taste generally of Wood but sometimes of 
Brick and there may be six or seven elegant Mansions with- 
out including a large Dutch Church with a To^ti Cloc, a 
Presbyterian Meeting House and a neat English Church 
now finishing oflF, containing a particular Pew for Sir Wm. 
Johnson adorned with a handsome Canopy supported by 
Pilasters. There are no Wharves but a public Landing 
or Two at the Ends of the streets where the Bateaux 
bring the Peltry and wheat from above. These Bateaux 
which are built here are very large, each end sharp so that 
they may be rowed either way. 

The Towaispeople are supplied altogether with Beef and 
Pork from New England most of the Meadows being used 
for Wheat, Peas and other Grain; however, there are 
certain choice Grass Meadows about the Place and yet at 
the End we entered, the Sandy Pine Land approaches 
within 300 years of the Buildings. The Mohawks River 
here is hardly wider than Half or a Quarter of a Mile, the 
Course W. S. W. and E. N. E. by compass. Fresh Beef 



124 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

sells at 5d and 6d p pound. We thought the Carriers 
here very apt to impose on Strangers: it was with some 
Difficulty we engaged an open Waggon with Two Horses 
for Cherry Valley for Forty-Five Shillings; they told us 
the Distance was 50 Miles. The Inhabitants are chiefly 
Descendants of the low Dutch, a few Irish and not so many 
English. We did not observe any Orchards or Gardens 
worthy of Attention. Mr. Clench says the cold here is 
not at all severe and the Grass out earlier in the Spring than 
in Pennsylvania where he has lived. The North River 
was open several Times at Albany during the last Winter : 
Sloops and Oyster Boats came uj) in January and February. 
Numbers of people from New England and elsewhere have 
travelled this way during the last Winter and this Spring 
looking out for settlements: there is yet remaining in 
Schenectady a small wooden Fortress having 4 Towers at 
the corners. 

In the early part of this Day we crossed the River at a 
Ferry kept in Town from whence to Col. Guy Johnson's 
son-in-law to Sir Wm. are 15 Miles." 

In those days what is known today as the west end 
constituted Schenectady. It was modeled after the old 
Dutch style : it bore the stamp of solidity as it did the air 
of quaintness and simplicity. It was the natural place to 
found the town; it was near the river where the chief 
interest centered. The West End at this period presented 
a far different aspect from its present retired appearance. 
Its streets resounded with the hurried tread of a bustling 
and an active multitude; the noise of the wheels — and the 
"babel of sounds," which, arising from its crowded wharfs 
and thronged avenues, met and mingled in one continuous 
strain. The warehouse of commerce and the store of 
merchandise occupied the places of its present quiet 



SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 125 

mansions, and its enterprising population were engaged 
in all the active and stirring duties incident to a business 
life and a shipping town. There were also large wholesale 
establishments located in that quarter. Finley and Elias 
with their main stores in Schenectady, and branches in 
London, Montreal and Detroit. Also John Duncan & 
Company, located at the corner of Union and Ferry streets, 
with branch houses also in Montreal, London and 
Detroit. Besides there were other large houses. 

MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS IN SCHENECTADY 

The Dutch, as much as any other one thing, loved peace, 
yet they had fighting blood when occasion demanded. 
This is evidenced by their achievement in their native 
country. The circumstances and conditions with which 
they were confronted during the first one hundred and 
twenty-five years of Schenectady's history made some 
fighting essential as a means of self preservation. Also 
when the greater issues arose, the war of the Revolution 
and the Civil War, they entered into the defense of the 
causes with spirit and bravery. 

After the close of the French and English War, 1701-13, 
the shadow of peace rested on the Mohawk Valley, yet 
with this calm there was little contentment begot by the 
lack of confidence in the peaceful intentions of the French 
and their allies. The English also had been remiss in 
their faithfulness and duty in the matter of providing 
adequate military protection for the Province and the 
frontier, all of which contributed to the demand for home 
military organizations. As early as 1715, therefore, the 
township of Schenectady had two companies of foot of 
about sixty men each, including the officers. The chief 
oflScers of the First Foot Company were John Sanders 



126 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

Glen, Gerrit Symonse Veeder and Jan Wemp. The com- 
pany was composed of the following citizens, namely, 
Arent Bratt, Lieut., Barent Weinp, Lieut., Evert Van Eps, 
Corporal, Teunise Vander Valge, Corporal, Manus Vedder, 
Corporal, Abram Glen, Pieter Vrooman, Jr., Gysbert Van 
Brakel, Helmer Veeder, John Teller, Jr., Jacob Swits, 
Sander Glen, Cornelis Van Dyck, Claes Frans Van De 
Bogart, Jacob Schermerhorn, Simon Tilly, Jan Dellemont, 
Andrues V. Pette, Jan Marselus, Jacob Van Olinda, John 
Vedder, Cornelius Van Slyck, Cornelis Viele, David 
Marenus, John Peck, Jillis Fonda, Jacobus Peck, Jr., 
Abram DeGroff, Pieter Danyelse Van Antwerpen, Philip 
Philipse, Simon Valkertic Veeder, Jacob Vrooman, Pieter 
Ouinez, Jelles Van Vorst, Abram Groot, Cornelis Slinger- 
lant, Teunis Swart, Dirck Groot, Swaer Mareslus, Jan 
Baptist Van Eps, Arent Danyelse Van Antwerpen, Barent 
Vrooman, Hendrick Vrooman, Jr., Myndert Wemp, Jacob 
Teller, William Marennus, Claas V. Putte, Jr., Jacob 
Philipse, Welm Hall, Robert Yates, Nicholas Stensel,Wren 
Samuel Bratt, Symon Groot, Marte Van Slyck, Hendreck 
Philips and Wilm Daes. 

The Second Foot Company was captained by Harme 
Van Slyck, and the Lieutenants were Hendrick Vrooman 
and Jacob Glen. The other members of the company 
were John Teller, Sergeant, Garret V. Brakel, Sergeant, 
Volkert Symonse Veeder, Sergeant, Jacob Van Ghyseling, 
Corporal, Andries De Groff, Corporal, Harme Vedder, 
Corporal, Barentse Wemp, Jan Vrooman, Jr., Cornelus 
Van der Volge, Benjamin V. Vleck, Meart V. Benthuysen, 
Samuel Hagacorn, William Teller, Wouter Vrooman, Jan 
Danyelse Van Antwerpen, Esyas Swart, Joseph Clement, 
Arent Schermerhorn, Jacob Meebie, Myndert Van Ghysel- 
ing, John Marennus, Victor Pootman, Daniel Toll, 



SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 127 

Bertobmew Picker, Jr., John Van Eps, Symon Swits, 
Arenout De Graff, Wilm Bromoer, Pieter Mebie, Tyerck 
Frans Van De Bogart, Philip Groot, Isaac De Graff, 
Philip Bosie, Johannes Vrooman, Abraham Meebie, 
Harme Vedder, Jr., Jonetan Steosus, Arent Van Putte, 
Jacobus Vedder, Wouter Swart, Jenney Tickstoon, Sander 
Philipse, Wilm Coppernol, Hendrick Hagedorn, Pieter 
Vrooman, Harme Philips, Robert Dwyer, Nicklas Steorms, 
Pieter Brouwer, Pieter Clement, Adam Smith and John 
Feerly. 

During this time too the English were taking measures 
to fortify the border, giving aid also to the Iroquois in 
erecting forts, furnishing arms and i)rovisions when neces- 
sary. Several Schenectady mechanics were employed in 
building their forts and block houses from the Mohawk 
country to the home of the Senecas. 

During the old French and English war, in which the 
battle of Beaukendal occurred the danger was so iminent 
on the border that nearly all able-bodied men were ranked 
among the soldiery. The protection of life and property 
required it. In 1746 Simon Groot and two of his brothers 
were butchered by a band of Indians a little distance west 
of Schenectady. The enemy burned the buildings and 
destroyed the crops. At this time Abraham Glen asked 
permission of the Governor to raise a company of one 
hundred volunteers for the defense of the frontier. The 
request was granted. This company was recruited in 
Schenectady and the immediate vicinty. It was not 
alone for the town and the border protection but Schenec- 
tady volunteers were called to other distant points to serve 
in the defense. During the year 1747, Captain Tiebout's 
Company of foot soldiers was also quartered at Schenec- 
tady. Abram De Graff and his son, Wilhelmus, were 



128 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

taken captive to Canada, where Abram died June 12, 1747. 

In 1755, there was a company of mihtia known as the 
89th, under Captain WilUam McGinnis, and Lieutenant 
Jonathan Storm. The company took part in the battle of 
Fort George this year, doing vahant service. Both of the 
commanders were killed in this engagement. From this 
date to the beginning of the war of the Revolution, how- 
ever, there are few records in reference to military organi- 
zations in Schenectady. 

The years from the founding of Schenectady in 1661 to 
the close of the war for independence in 1782, covered a 
strenuous period for the inhabitants of the border country ; 
and the interim between the last French and English war, 
1754-1763, was so brief that the curtain scarcely once 
dropped in the human life drama during this one hundred 
and twenty years. 

The war of the Revolution, however, induced action of 
an entirely different character, and Schenectady was again 
called upon to bear an important part in the final struggle 
for freedom. General Washington visited Schenectady at 
the breaking out of this war to make arrangement for the 
defense of the frontier. Washington on this occasion was 
the guest of John Glen at his residence in the village. Glen 
was then quartermaster of the department and his brother, 
Henry, was deputy. 

Schenectady in connection with Albany took early 
action in the matter of defense and the organization of 
military companies for service. The committee of cor- 
respondence, safetj^ and protection was formed early in 
May, 1775. Much seriousness and earnestness entered 
into this movement, yet it had its droll aspect as will be 
seen by the following resolution of the board at one of its 
early meetings. 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 129 

"Resolved, that every member belonging to this board, 
who does not attend fifteen minutes after the hour ap- 
pointed for the committee to meet, or on receiving notice, 
shall (unless they can give a reasonable excuse to the 
satisfaction of the board) pay the price of one bowl of 
toddy for each such neglect." 

However, this committee did effective service in vigil- 
ance, safety measures for Schenectady and the enlistment 
of soldiers for the war. 

The following history of this activity in part is from the 
"American Historian." 

At a meeting of the "freeholders and inhabitants of the 
township of Schenectady," held May 6, 1775, ten men were 
chosen to be a "committee of correspondence, safety, and 
protection." Christopher Yates being elected chairman, 
and Hugh Mitchell, clerk. The meetings were held at the 
house of William White on Church street. The other 
members of this committee were Rynier Mynderse, Henry 
Glen, Harmanus Wendell, Abraham Oothout, John 
Rossboom, Cornelius Cuyler, Jacobus Teller and James 
Wilson. The first meeting was held in Albany on the 
seventh. A new committee was selected in the same 
manner about every six months. In important matters 
advice was asked of and reports were constantly made to 
the committee at Albany, which was the head of the 
county of which Schenectady was then a part. Through 
the Mohawk Valley and in the town were some sympa- 
thizers with the King and at the first general meeting one 
man "harangued and discouraged the people in the street 
from choosing a committee." On information from the 
Albany committee that Daniel Campbell had a quantity of 
gunpowder stored at Schenectady, the committee at once 
bought the powder, "foreseeing the evil consequences 



130 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

that may attend it falling into the hands of our enemys." 
Two men were authorized to take charge of the powder and 
sell it at a certain rate per pound but not to any person 
outside the township without an order from a member of 
the committee. Advertisements were ordered put up in 
the most public places desiring all inhabitants of the 
township to meet in Schenectady on Saturday, the 27th, 
at 10 o'clock in the forenoon to inform the committee how 
well they were provided with arms and ammunition. At 
this meeting they raised three companies of minute men for 
the safety of the township, "two companies in the town 
and one in the Westina." About 60 men formed a com- 
pany and these were "to spend a few hours every week in 
learning the military exercise." The committee at 
Albany sent a request for a company of fifty men and offi- 
cers "for the Continental service" to go to Ticonderoga. 
Cornelius Van Dyck was appointed captain and the com- 
pany was at once recruited, its members to be paid in 
"lawful money of New England." Every officer and 
soldier serving in the companies of the township had to 
sign "the association recommended by the Honorable, the 
Continental Congress." The members of Captain Van 
Dyck's company were boarded in the town at the expense 
of the committee, reinbursement for this and other charges 
being made by the committee at Albany. Word came 
from Albany on June 9th, 1775, that Captain Van Dyck's 
comjiany would not be needed soon, and the men were dis- 
charged with instructions "to spend two days in the week 
in learning the military exercise." James Wilson and 
Harmanus Wendell were appointed as sub-committee to 
appear before the board at Albany and "lay a list of the 
officers appointed for the five companies of minute men 
and militia before the board and apply for their commis- 



JCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 131 

sions. These officers were Jellis Fonda, first captain, John 
Mynderse, John Van Patten, Abraham Wemple and 
Thomas Wasson, also captains in the order named. This 
was in response from the Provincial Congress asking that 
field officers be recommended. The committee recom- 
mended Abraham Wemple for Colonel, Jacob Schermer- 
horn, Lieutenant Colonel, Abraham Swits, first Major, 
Nicholas Veeder, second Major, Agron Van Patten, adjut- 
ant, and John Peek, quartermaster. Van Dyck afterward 
became Colonel of the First New York Continental regi- 
ment. 

The Committee "Resolved, that orders be immediately 
sent to Captain John Van Patten to place guards at William 
De Graff's, Tunis Swart 's, and Lewis Peek's to prevent any 
unfriendly persons or letters from passing upwards." 
This expression "upwards" was the Mohawk Valley and 
the person in mind was Col. Guy Johnson, of Johnstown, 
who was in sympathy with the British. 

To indicate the efficiency of the committee of safety 
and protection the following are further examples of its 
alertness. Information having come to the committee 
that "a quantity of musket balls, the property of govern- 
ment," was stored in the house of Margaret Van Antwerp, 
"at the Westina," a man was sent to seize and hold these 
until they could be disposed of. Also word was sent by 
Christopher Yates, chairman of the committee of Tryon 
Co., that some six hundred men had assembled to arrest 
Alexander White, sheriff of the county, for certain mis- 
demeanors and that he had fled to the house of Sir John 
Johnson now put in a state of defense. The committee 
was asked to aid with two field pieces and some ammuni- 
tion, but not having field pieces or ammunition to spare, 
the matter was referred to the committee at Albany. 



132 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

White made his escape from Johnstown and was supposed 
to have fled to Canada, and notice of this was immediately 
sent to Gen. Schuyler that his scouting parties might keep 
a lookout for White to intercept letters of consequence he 
was believed to carry. On July the 13th orders arrived 
from Gen. Schuyler to Capt. Van Dyck to start at once 
with his company for Lake George. The men on being 
drawn up and informed that they must start under the 
command of a lieutenant, as Capt. Van Dyck was absent 
recruiting, refused to go until their captain returned. A 
report had to be sent to Gen. Schuyler explaining the delay. 
A supply of "fifty weight of balls" and necessaries was 
ordered for the use of this company. One night during 
this time some disaffected person put tar and feathers on 
the front doors of the homes of several members of the 
committee, and this outrage was made the subject of an 
investigation. It being then the custom of the inhabi- 
tants of the town to fire guns on New Year's Day, an 
unnecessary waste of powder "which ought particularly to 
be prevented at this time," the magistrates were asked and 
agreed to try and stop it. On Jan. 14, 1776, Capt. John 
Mynderse and a company of sixty minute men "set out in 
sleds for Albany" for service in Tryon County. 

W^hile as a whole there was concrete sentiment in favor 
of the American cause in Schenectady, there were a few 
dissenters, or traitors, as they were called. Along with 
this there appears to have been little respect for local 
authority, unless backed by arms, for the magistrates 
applied to the committee and were assured of protection 
in the performance of their duties. At the request of 
Major-Gen. Philip Schuyler a number of carpenters were 
engaged at Schenectady and a company of bateaumen was 
recruited for service on Lakes George and Champlain. 



SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 133 

Trouble was feared "from a number of strangers being in 
town from different places" and the magistrates on Jan. 14, 
1776, ordered the town to be guarded by a double watch. 
Among the men summoned from time to time to answer as 
to their loyalty was one Joseph Kingley, who told the 
committee he "differed with us in sentiments in regard to 
the present dispute between Great Britain and the colon- 
ies." He was ordered sent on Feb. 7th to Albany under 
escort of two men "to be confined in the prison prepared for 
offenders against the American cause," until trial by the 
general committee for his offense, "which consists in high 
aspersions on the friends to liberty." 

A regiment of Continental soldiers was quartered in 
Schenectady during the fall and winter of 1777. It seems 
to have been the custom to send regiments not needed for 
immediate service to different places for the winter, thus 
often avoiding short food supplies. While in Schenectady, 
however, this regiment acted as a protection to the town 
and a defense to the frontier against parties of Torries and 
Indians. The following spring the regiment was called 
away for the approaching campaign. 

This committee of safety evidently was called upon to 
act as a court of Equity and Justice besides the serious 
function of devising ways and means for both protection 
and aid to the cause. The following instances indicate 
again some of the perplexing matters that arose for 
adjudication. 

For instance, "Peter Hagadorn complained to this board 
that Mrs. Moyston had sold him a pound of tea for $25 
and afterwards came to the house of Reuben Simonds, and 
by force, took the tea back again from said Hagadorn, and 
returned him the money. 



134 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

Resolved, thereupon, that Mrs. Moyston be sent for, and 
she being present acknowledged the above charge; there- 
upon, 

Resolved, that said Mrs. Moyston do deliver to the said 
Hagadorn the pound of tea, he paying $14 for the same; 
also, pay to the chairman of this committee the sum of $11 
as a fine for extorting the said sum of $11." 

Also, "Maria Hagadorn appeared before this board and 
complained that Mrs. Robbison had sold her a pound of 
"West India brown sugar" for the sum of 32 shillings; 
thereupon, 

Resolved, that said Mr. John Robbison be sent for, he 
being present said he did not know anything about it; 
but would ask his wife. He returned and said Mrs. 
Robbison acknowledged that she had sold a pound of sugar 
for $4.00, but did not know sugar was regulated; there- 
upon, 

Resolved, that said Robbison pay to the said Maria, 10 
shillings back which was extorted from her, and also pay 
the sum of $5 to the chairman of this board as a fine. 

Simon Jacse Vrooman appeared before this board and 
complained that ISIr. Caleb Beck had sold two sticks of 
mohair for $6, which he looked upon as extortion; there- 
fore, 

Resolved, that Mr. Beck be sent for, he appearing 
acknowledged the same, thereupon. 

Resolved, that said Beck do return $3 to said Simon, 
which in the opinion of this committee, was extorted." 

FIRST INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION, 1778 

In the midst of the strife and battle for independence the 
citizens of Schenectady in 1778 joined with the spirit of 
freedom in the celebration of the Declaration of Indepen- 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 13.5 

dence. It was the first one in the village if not the first 
in the Province. The following account of it in part is 
from "The American Historian," 1872: 

"The anniversary of the Declaration of Independence 
was celebrated from the first in military cami)s, the custom 
being gradually introduced into cities and villages. The 
first celebration in Schenectady was in 1778,and there being 
no cannon in the town, recourse was had to an old one that 
had belonged to Gen. Bradstreet's army during the French 
war, and which having been condemned was abandoned by 
that officer on the occasion of his expedition to Oswego, on 
the Glenville flats not far from the Mohawk bridge. There 
it had lain observed by passers by for twenty years and had 
become partly buried by the deposits of repeated freshets. 
The piece was dug up, drawn on a stone boat to the corner 
of State and Washington streets, and mounted on a pile of 
logs. A soldier named Lindsey was assigned the duty of 
firing it off, and the gun being loaded just before sundown 
for a final salute and a cartridge box placed over the muzzle 
to increase the noise, the explosion blew it to pieces and 
Lindsey was killed." 

At the close of the war of the Revolution General 
Washington made a second visit to Schenectady. This 
was on the 30th of June, 1782. He was in Albany and on 
invitation of the citizens he, in company with Gen. 
Schuyler, rode to Schenectady in a carriage. A notable 
entertainment was given at Robert Clinch's hotel, many of 
the prominent citizens of Schenectady being present, 
among them Col. Abraham Wemple, and Col. Frederick 
Vischer. In reply to an address of welcome Gen. Washing- 
ton wrote : 



136 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

"To the Magistrates and Military OflSces of the Township 

of Schenectady:" 
"Gentlemen: 

"I request you to accept my warmest thanks for your 
affectionate address. In a cause so just and righteous as 
ours, we have every reason to hope the Divine Providence 
will still continue to crown our arms with success, and 
finally compel our enemies to grant us that peace, upon 
equitable terms we so ardently desire. 

"May you, and the good people of this town, in the 
meantime be protected from every insidious and open foe; 
and may the complete blessings of peace soon reward your 
arduous struggle for the establishment of the freedom and 
independence of our common country. 

George Washington." 
Schenectady, June 30th, 1782." 

Gen. Washington paid a third visit to Schenectady in 
1786 while on a tour of the country. When the news of 
Gen. Washington's death was received in Schenectady on 
December 24, 1799, the church bells were tolled two hours, 
and the mayor and the aldermen of the city donned 
mourning for thirty days. 

THE WAR OF 1812 

The period between 1782 and 1812 was one of compara- 
tive repose, so far as actual warfare was concerned. While 
there was much exultation at the outcome of the struggle, 
there was as strong a desire for peace and the return to 
industry and the upbuilding of the disenthralled country. 
The war of 1812, however, found Schenectady active again 
in support of the issue. Gen. Holland who had been a 
major under Gen. Scott, at once raised a company in 




ELIPHALET NOTT, LL.D. 
President of Union College, 1804-1866 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 137 

Schenectady to serve in this conflict. There were many- 
other citizens who enHsted and joined regiments going 
from other sections. 

About 1815 a company of heavy artillery was recruited 
in the village with John Benson as its first captain. Soon 
after this a rifle company was formed of which Henry 
Miller was the first captain and Andrew F. Barhydt, 
lieutenant. 

In 1820 a company, which on account of the color of 
their uniforms was called the Grays, was organized. 
Simon Glen was the first captain and after him Jesse M. 
Van Dyck and Abraham Clems were captains. The 
three companies named were still in existence after the 
completion of the Erie Canal in 1825. 

These companies were followed by the organization of a 
Cavalry company in 1825 under the captaincy of Joseph 
Consaul. In the early thirties a company known as the 
Governor's Guard was formed in the city. A. Briggs was 
the first captain, and subsequently Judge Piatt Potter 
arrived as captain of the company. 

Soon after 1830, under the State Military law all com- 
panies in Schenectady, Montgomery, Fulton and Hamilton 
Counties were merged in a brigade called the Fourteenth. 
This brigade comprised three regiments, as follows, the 
26th, 57th and 188th, the Schenectady company forming 
a part of the 26th. Ten years later this was reorganized 
and became the 17th, still composed of three regiments. 

Some time between 1840 and 1850 an Artillery Com- 
pany was formed in the city having in the body many of 
the first citizens who were active and influential in making 
it a superior organization. John Robinson and Benjamin 
Paths were at different times captains of the company. 
John B. Clute and James Hannah also were officers of the 



138 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

company. The drill place was old Madison hall on Union 
Street. 

A Company called the Continentals was formed in 1855 
and John B. Clute was the first captain. He was suc- 
ceeded by Stephen Truax and Isaac Riggles was the last 
captain of the Company. It disbanded in 1861. 

THE CIVIL WAR 

The war of the Rebellion was another call to arms and 
also a call for troops, and Schenectady at once took active 
steps to meet the call. The old companies soon ceased to 
exist in the excitement attending the appeal for real 
soldiers. Both the city and the county rallied valiantly 
to the defense of the cause again. 

The first company formed in Schenectady at this time 
was the Second Zouaves, which later became Company A, 
18th Regiment New York Volunteers. The company was 
organized by William Seward Gridley who was its first 
captain and conmianded it at the first battle at Bull Run. 
Daniel Doty was the First Lieutenant and Edward W. 
Groot the ensign. The company reported for duty on the 
21st of April, 1861, and was mustered into the service on 
the 18th of June, going directly to Washington. In Octo- 
ber, 1862, Captain Gridley was advanced to the rank of 
major and at the close of the war was bre vetted colonel. 

The second company recruited in 1861 was that by 
Stephen Truax who went out as its captain. William 
Horsford was the first lieutenant and John Vedder ensign. 
This company also became Company E a part of the 18th 
Regiment. In December of the same year Truax was 
succeeded as captain by Lieut. Horsford who was killed at 
the battle of Crampton Gap, at which time John Vedder 
became captain. The 18th regiment was one of the first 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 139 

in active service and participated in the first battle. 
William Jackson, son of Prof. Jackson of Union College, 
was colonel of the 18th regiment until his death. 

The third company was raised in June, 1861, by Barent 
M. Van Voast as captain. The First Lieutenant was 
Mance V, Smith and Ensign Edward Van Voast. It went 
out as Company C. 

The fourth company from Schenectady was Company 
G., Allen H. Jackson, Captain, George W. Shafer First 
Lieutenant, and William Harty, Second Lieutenant. The 
Company joined the 91st regiment. 

Company B was organized by David H. Hamlin in 18(52. 
There were 102 men in the company Hamlin being the 
captain. This was followed the same year by Company F. 
Gilbert S. Kennedy, Captain, George A. Turnbull, First 
Lieutenant, and Clinton C. Brown, Second Lieutenant. 

Company H was formed by Judge Austin A. Yates in 
September, 1862. Judge Yates went out as Captain, 
Gerardus Conley, First Lieutenant, and INIarcus A. Her- 
rick. Second Lieutenant. These latter companies became 
a part of the 134th Regiment and saw much hard fighting. 

The 83d Regiment consisting of ten companies was 
formed in April, 1863, for home protection was composed 
wholly of men from Schenectady and the county. James 
Fuller was the Colonel, Robert Furman, Lieutenant 
Colonel, John L. Barhydt, Major, Vedder V. Van Patten, 
Adjutant, L. Lodge, Quartermaster. The regiment dis- 
banded in January, 1874. 

The 133d and the 192d regiments went from Schenec- 
tady in 1865, but whether these regiments saw actual 
service at the front is not known. 

After the close of the Civil War a company composed 
entirely of Army and Navy Volunteers was formed in the 



140 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

city and known as the Soldiers and Sailors Union. Major 
Ralph Van Brunt was the commander. Later the organi- 
zation became the Schenectady Zouave Cadets. Van 
Brunt was the first captain of the latter company, being 
succeeded finally by Judge Austin A. Yates. The organi- 
zation sometime later became the Horsford Post No. 14, 
subsequently the Edwin Forest Post and later still assumed 
the original name of Horsford Post. 

From the middle to the close of the eighteenth century 
there were many men of high type and strong character 
settled in Schenectady. They were merchants, profes- 
sional men, and others who held conspicuous places in the 
affairs of state and nation. 

Samuel Fuller, who located in the village about 1758, 
probably did as much as an architect to build up and add 
grace and character to the style of buildings, for a half 
century, as any who succeeded him. He was a native of 
Massachusetts where he had received training for his work. 
He planned St. George's church erected in 1760 in the 
village; he also built the home for Daniel Campbell at the 
corner of State street and Washington avenue. The John 
Duncan mansion or Hermitage in Niskayuna was also a 
part of his work, and also the home of Col. Guy Johnson at 
Johnstown, together with the Court House at the same 
place. Besides, he drew the plans for the John Glen 
house on Washington avenue the Ten Eyck house. In 
his period of activity he was a leader and a man of exceed- 
ing great value to the community. 

John Duncan was another one of this group. He was a 
Scotchman and a loyal English subject when the war for 
independence came on. He, however, maintained neutral 
ground during the struggle and, therefore, was not harassed 
or disturbed by the colonial authorities. He was the first 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 141 

recorder chosen under the city charter in 1798. Duncan 
was a merchant of recognized abihty, a progressive and 
successful business man. Duncan & Phynn had large 
warehouses in Schenectady with branch houses in London, 
Montreal and Detroit. They were wholesalers and impor- 
ters with trade relations in any section of the then settled 
country. Duncan died at his country mansion on May 6, 
1791. 

Daniel Campbell located in the village in 1754. He also 
was a Scotchman, keen and aggressive. He became a 
merchant and an Indian trader and carried on a large 
business. By his enterprise and ability he accumulated a 
fortune, measured by the times; and during his career he 
contributed in all ways to the advancement and upbuilding 
of Schenectady. In 1771 Mr. Campbell was appointed 
one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas and served 
with dignity and ability. He died in 1802 leaving one son, 
David. 

Andrew Mitchell became a resident of the village about 
1760. He engaged in the mercantile business on State 
street where for many years he was the leading merchant 
in his line. Mitchell was also an ardent supporter of 
liberty when the Revolutionary War came on and was one 
of the able and active members of the Committee of 
Safety. 




CHAPTER VIII 

CAPITOL GROWTH OF BUSINESS SCHOOLS 

URING the Revolutionary War period there 
was some thought given by pubUc men to 
the matter of selecting a seat for the State 
Capitol. That Schenectady was regarded 
by some of these men as the logical location 
for the same is indicated by the appended extract from a 
letter written by John Jay while he was a member of the 
Continental Congress : 

"There is another matter which I think deserves atten- 
tion; it is the seat of Government. On this subject I 
have bestowed much thought. The Result is, perfect and 
full Conviction that Schenectady is the only proper place 
in the State, and the sooner the Idea is adopted and carried 
into Execution the better. Should I have Time and 
opportunity before my Departure I shall transmit to you 
my Reflections on this Subject. Many of them will 
naturally occur to you. I will just hint, however, that it 
will not be easy to remove the Seat of Government from 
any Place you may appoint for the Purpose and, therefore, 
that great Care should be taken in the Cl^oice. My Sollici- 
tude for the welfare and Honor of the State prompts me to 
say many other things interesting to both, but I have no 
Leisure at present." 

(Quotation from a letter of John Jay to Gov. George 
Clinton, written from Philadelphia, Oct. 7th, 1779, 
"Public Papers of George Clinton," vol. 5, page 311.) 

The opinion has been expressed that had it not been for 
certain incidents, together with the influence of the keenest 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 143 

politics, the capital building would have adorned the east 
hill in Schenectady instead of the hill in Albany. 

Of the early times and settlements west of Schenectady 
Sim's History of Schoharie County contains the following 
interesting statement : 

"The Dutch who first settled in Schoharie went from 
Schenectady, traveling over an Indian foot-path by way of 
Duanesburg through a heavy forest. For the necessaries 
required the first few years they came to this town as it 
was nearer than Albany. From Schenectady Lambert 
Sternberg, about 1711, carried the first wheat ever taken to 
Schoharie in the berry. For some time the grain was 
brought here to be floured, carried on the backs of both 
men and women who traveled in parties of fifteen or 
twenty for protection from wild beasts numerous in those 
days." 

About this period too, the Scotch and the Irish began to 
settle south and west of Schenectady. To I he south there 
was a considerable settlement of the former, many of 
whom became prominently identified with business and 
public affairs both in the city and county of Schenectady. 

EARLY MAILS AND STAGES 

It was not until more than a hundred years after the 
founding of Schenectady that mail was received with any 
degree of regularity or system. The mail in the early 
years came mostly from the New York direction and during 
the first hundred years it was brought by horseback-rider 
in summer, and in winter the highway of travel for the mail 
carrier was on the ice of the Hudson River. The first 
regular mail received at Schenectady was on April 3, 1763. 
The Legislature in 1785 by enactment granted to Isaac 



144 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

Wyck, Talmage Hall and John Kinney the exclusive right 
to establish, maintain and operate a stage line or stage 
wagons between Albany and New York on the east side of 
the Hudson river. This grant covered a period of ten 
years, with the stipulation that each wagon be covered and 
be drawn by four horses, and make the trip once a week. 
The first stage made the trip in June, 1785. The passenger 
fare was four pence a mile. In 1804 the time was reduced 
to three days and the single trip fare fixed at $8.00. When 
the steamboats began running between New York and 
Albany in 1807 the stage lines were out of business during 
the season for navigation. The stages made more frequent 
trips still in summer between this time and the coming of 
the steam railroad. Details of this have been set forth on 
previous pages. 

After the close of the war for Independence all lines of 
trade and commerce were greatly stimulated. The 
sinews of Schenectady's business were the shipping and its 
wholesale establishments. It was not uncommon to see 
fifty or more cargo-laden boats go in and out of the Binne 
Kil in a day. Schenectady grew rapidly and substantially 
during these years. 

SCHOOLS — EARLY AND LATE 

The history of the schools, like that of the churches, 
constitutes an interesting chapter in the story of a town's 
building and being. During Schenectady's long history 
there have been many schools of many types and different 
character. 

In many instances only the most meager record of them 
is obtainable, while in still other cases merely a mention 
of them can be made for the same reason. 




THE OLD ACADEMY BUILDING 

Union College in 1795 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 145 

Domine Tassemaker, first pastor of the Dutch Church, 
who was killed in the massacre of February, 1690, had a 
school in connection with his church, sometime between 
1682 and 1690. If this be true, undoubtedly it was the 
first school to be started in Schenectady. 

The next record of a school in the village relates to the 
one conducted by the Rev. Thomas Barclay in 1710. The 
authenticity of this is vouched for by a statement by him 
in a letter to his church authorities. Although an Episco- 
palian clergyman, the Rev. Barclay officiated for about 
two years at the Dutch Reformed Church, and it was dur- 
ing this time that he ran the school. It continued about 
two years, or during Rev. Barclay's residence in the village. 

The Rev. Alexander Miller who was pastor of the First 
Presbyterian church from 1770 to 1781, opened a school in 
connection with his pastoral work which, it is said, met 
with marked success even up through the Revolutionary 
War period. During a part of this time Rev. Miller had 
several associates in the conduct of the school, some of 
whom later became teachers and citizens of note. 

About this time, or in 1771, the Rev. William Andrews 
Lhen pastor of St. George's Church, opened a school which 
he conducted two years. As to whether the school con- 
tinued after 1773 there is no record. 

In 1773 John Lambert ran a private school on Church 
street in a house then owned by a Mr. Tannahill. Its 
period of existence, however, is not known. 

THE SCHENECTADY ACADEMY 

Soon after the close of the independence war the Rev. 
Dirck Romeyn became pastor of the First Dutch Church. 
He was a man of ability, a believer in education, and it was 
due to his efforts and influence that the Schenectady 



146 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

Academy was established in 1785. He enlisted the sym- 
pathy and support of the Consistory of the Dutch Church 
in the project to the end that on the 21st day of February 
of that year he, with the assistance of the church, resolved 
to go forward with the erection of an academy building. 
The building was begun early that spring at the corner of 
Union and Ferry streets. It consisted of a two story 
building with four rooms, two on each floor. In view of 
the considerable cost of the building it was voted that a 
yearly tuition fee of four shillings be charged each pupil 
attending the school. The citizens entered into the matter 
and agreed to equip the school and establish a school 
library. 

In the meanwhile the consistory of the church was urging 
upon the magistrates of the village the demand for improve- 
ment of the common schools, which seems to have gone 
unacted upon. At any rate the academy was completed 
and opened auspiciously. On iVpril 7, when the academy 
building was well along in the process of construction a 
meeting of the consistory and townspeople was held to 
formulate and sign an agreement relating to the equipment 
and management of the school. Domine Romeyn pre- 
sided at this meeting. The board of trustees as chosen 
comprised twenty-seven men. In 1788 the consistory of 
the church transferred to the board of trustees of the 
school their interest and the power to continue and manage 
the academy. 

This association consisted of the following citizens: 
Cornelise Van Slyck, Andries Van Patten, Joseph C. Yates, 
Cornelius Vrooman, S. A. Bratt, Isaac Quackenboss, 
Abraham Swits, G. A. Lansing, Daniel Campbell, Claas 
Vander Bogen, Peter Van Guyseling, Christopher Yates, 
Henry Glen, Abraham Oothout, John Richardson, Robert 



SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 147 

Moyston, William Van Ingen, John Glen, Abraham Fonda, 
Harmanus Bradt, R. Mynderse, William Mead, Cornelis 
Van Dyke, Isaac Vrooman, Nicholas Veeder and Rev. 
Dirk Romeyn. They chose from this number a board of 
trustees of which Rev. Romeyn was president. Van Ingen, 
secretary, and Oothout, treasurer. 

The school at once became a strong and influential 
factor in the educational advancement of the community. 
It had a capable corps of teachers and was well patronized 
during the succeeding years. Caleb Beck, a talented 
young man was for some time the principal. Meanwhile, 
some movement had been made toward the founding of a 
college in Schenectady and in 1795 Union College was 
chartered. Its trustees were seeking quarters for the 
opening of the institution; therefore, in September, 1796, 
they purchased the academy property, the trustees of the 
academy applying the proceeds of the sale toward the 
erection of another school. 

After the beginning of 1800 there were a multiplicity of 
schools of various grades and kinds, most of which were 
private schools, or schools that relied upon a tuition charge 
wholly for their maintenance, the Schenectady Lancaster 
school being an exception, as this received state aid. The 
information obtainable concerning many of the schools in 
this period is also vague and incomplete thus rendering 
a detailed account of them impossible at this date. 

In 1800 Mrs. Van Orden taught a private school on the 
second floor of a building at the corner of State street and 
Washington avenue. There is no record as to its life or 
its degree of success. 

About this time or soon thereafter a Mr. Ganley con- 
ducted a school in an old building a little distance off State 



148 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

street, or in the rear of a building standing on the south 
side of State street. 

In 1805 Mr. Shumway opened a select school at the 
corner of Ferry and Front streets. It ran some time, how 
long it is not known. 

The Schenectady Female Academy in 1807 was located 
in a building on Church street where afterwards the 
Masonic Temple was built. This was a school of consider- 
able scope and prestige. It seems to have had quite a 
teaching force with a creditable student body. E. D. 
Cuyler and a Mr. Malcolm, a French teacher, were engaged 
there. As to the date of its going out there is no informa- 
tion. 

The Dutch Reformed Church, in 1812, made an effort 
toward establishing a school for colored children. The 
church subscribed money for its maintenance. The 
school was started under a teacher chosen for the work but 
had a short life, it seems. 

THE LANCASTER SCHOOL 

Of these early day educational institutions the Lancaster 
school probably was as noteworthy in many respects as 
any of the many different schools. It was chartered in 
1816 and received public money which was a distinction at 
that time. The school was governed by a board of thir- 
teen trustees, the first board being composed of the follow- 
ing Schenectady citizens: Maus Schermerhorn, Henry 
Yates, Jr., Cyrus Stebbins, Jacob Van Vechten, Hooper 
Cummings, Isaac Riggs, Elisha Taylor, Eliphalet Nott, 
James Bailey, David Boyd, Abraham Groot, Charles Kane 
and Jacob C. Duane. 

The organization was effected November 20, 1816, and 
in February following the board decided to erect a suitable 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 149 

school building on College street a short distance from 
Union, adjoining the old Union school building. The 
school opened on the 24th of June, 1818, the tuition fee 
being one dollar for each quarter. Nicholas Van Vranken 
was the first principal. The school was successful from 
the start. A new and novel system of instruction was the 
vogue, which met with much favor. 

Pupils were classed in groups, boys and girls, some of the 
higher grade pupils acting as instructors for the lower 
grades. In 1824 the tuition was reduced to twenty-five 
cents a quarter and a certain class of poor students up to 
forty years of age were admitted free. There were several 
capable teachers employed in the school. Ezekiel Sexton 
was the last principal under the original regime. In 1833 
the school property was sold to Dr. Nott and became an 
adjunct of Union College. 

The trustees at once purchased another lot on College 
street and erected another building, and James Slater 
became the new principal in 1834. In 1837 a fund of $2500 
was set saide for the maintenance of a department for 
colored children. In April, 1839, the Lancasterian system 
of teaching in part was dropped and other methods 
adopted. In 1839 by legislative enactment a district 
library was ordered to be placed in the school to be piad for 
from public money. A department of music was also 
added and a lady teacher engaged to assist in the instruc- 
tion. Mr. William D. Cockran and Miss Stiles became 
teachers in 1840. 

The Ferry street school, under supervision of the Lan- 
caster school, had one teacher at this time, Martin C. Hall, 
and the Liberty street school was in charge of Harvey 
Moore. The school library was then in the rooms of the 
Yoimg Men's Christian Association, Alexander Cameron 



150 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

being the librarian. In 1841 the school had a teaching 
force composed of James Slater, Martin C. Hall, the 
Misses Ritchie, Miss Thurston and Miss Stiles. Myndert 
Veeder also became a teacher at the Liberty street school 
this year. 

The Lancaster school was an efficient educational 
institution and a factor in the advancement of education. 
After a successful career of fifty years it gave way to the 
organization of the public schools of the city in 1854. 

THE SCHENECTADY LYCEUM 

The Schenectady Lyceum was established as early as 
1835, in a building erected for the purpose at the corner of 
Union and Yates streets. It was a three story octagon 
building with seats around the outer sides and a desk for 
the principal in the center. Herbert M. and J. H. Brown 
taught the school from the opening until 1842, when they 
were succeeded by Gibs Manwaring and Cyrus Smith. In 
1843 David H. Cruttenden and William Kelly took charge. 
After them came William L. Aiken, Jacob Aiken and 
Ephraim Aiken. As near as is kno^\Ti the school continued 
with a fair degree of success until about 1855. Among the 
pupils of the school were President Chester A. Arthur 
whose father was then a clergyman in the city. 

In 1838 there was a school in the basement of the old 
Baptist Church on Maiden Lane, now Center street. It 
was conducted by the Rev. Mr. Gillette, pastor of the 
church, with Myndert Veeder as instructor. It continued 
there several years. 



SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 151 
SCHENECTADY INSTITUTE 

In 1848 a building was erected in the rear of 13 Franklin 
street where the Schenectady Institute was established. 
This was a school for military discipline and preparatory 
for college. Its students were called Schenectady Cadets, 
and were composed of the children of the leading families 
of the city. A catalogue of the school was published for 
several years. The school was in charge of Isaac W. Dim- 
ham. It was a popular institution, enjoying a good 
measure of prosperity, but went out soon after the estab- 
lishment of the public schools. 

About 1842 or 1843 there was a Young Ladies' Seminary 
on Liberty street, conducted by Miss O'Brien. A Miss 
Burt was associated with her for a time. The latter sub- 
sequently became principal of the Washington avenue 
Female Seminary. iNIiss Thurston, who taught in the 
Lancaster School, also had a select school on State street 
during these years. J. B. Clute, another teacher in the 
Lancaster School, had a boys school for a period of time 
between 1840 and 1850. 

Miss Winnie conducted a select school for both boys and 
girls from 1855 to 1860. It was located on Front street 
and is said to have been a very efficient school in the teach- 
ing of the primary branches. 

THE FREE SCHOOL SYSTEM 

The establishment of the Union free school system in 
1854 hastened the closing of the multiplicity of private or 
tuition schools of all classes in the city. The legislative 
enactment under which the Schenectady school system 
became operative was passed in April, 1854, and the 
organization was effected that year. 



152 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

The first board of trustees, or commissioners, chosen 
was composed of the following named citizens: Alonzo C. 
Page, Nicholas Van Vranken, D. M. Moore, William M. 
Duane, Charles Chequer, Hiram Champion, D. M. Chadse 
and the Rev. I. G. Duryee. Van Vranken was chosen 
president of the board and Chadse, secretary. 

The city bought back from Union College the building 
situated at the corner of Union and College streets, and 
established there the free school system. Although it was 
a large building the space available at the time of opening 
was inadequate to house the pupils. Therefore, steps had 
to be taken at once to provide more room. The first year 
there were five teachers employed, while in 1856 there was 
a teaching force of seventeen besides the superintendent, 
or principal. Samuel B. Howe became the first superin- 
tendent of schools and continued until 1905, a most unusual 
record of service. He was succeeded by John T. Freeman, 
who remained three years, or until 1908. This year the 
present Superintendent, A. R. Brubacher, Ph.D., assumed 
these duties. 

The High School was established in 1857, with S. B. 
Howe as principal. In many instances during the early 
years of free schools the principal of the higher department 
acted also as the superintendent. 

The upper floor of the Union School building was occu- 
pied by the High School, and the lower floors for the 
grades. The system at the beginning comprised two 
schools, the second located elsewhere in the city. In 1859 
a new and handsome Union School building was erected on 
the same site, and in 1872 the High School was taken from 
the main building and located at the corner of Union and 
Church streets, in the building now occupied by the 
Mohawk Club. The city purchased the property and 




BIRDSEVE VIEW Ul- IHK cENtkAL ELECTRIC COMPANY S PI 



i.jt:ia(fc' 







91 THE LARGEST INDUSTRY OF THE KIND IN THE WORLD 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 153 

established there the Union Classical Institute, or the 
High School of the city. It appears that a part of the 
high school work, meanwhile, was done in the Union School 
building and a part at the Classical Institute. Charles S. 
Halsey was cho.sen principal of the Institute at its opening 
and served until 1896. He was succeeded by Arthur B. 
Marvin who served until 1905. A. R. Brubacher, the 
present superintendent, then became principal and con- 
tinued in this capacity until made superintendent m 1908. 
Dr. Brubacher was succeeded by E. R. Whitney who is 
now the principal of the High School. 

The number of schools in 1854, as stated above, was two, 
while in 1914 there are twenty-two, a growth of eleven 
hundred per cent. During the past decade the increase in 
schools, pupils, and the development along new and 
advanced lines have been much beyond the ordinary. In 
1908 there were 693 students in the High School, and in 
1914 the number reached 1319. 

A new High School building was erected on Nott Terrace 
in 1903 at which time the Union Classical Institute ceased 
to exist as the High School of the city. It was soon 
demonstrated, however, that the new and handsome high 
school building was entirely insufficient to accommodate 
the increasing student body, and in order to meet the 
demand for more room an adjunct, or second high school 
building, was erected in 1912 on the north side of the 
original building. They are both spacious, modern school 
buildings with the most modern equipment for efficient 
work. 

During this period of marvelous gro^\i;h the scope of 
instruction also has been greatly broadened and many new 
courses along domestic and vocational lines have been 
added. These comprise foundry practice, pattern making, 



154 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

domestic science, domestic art, the crafts, art modeling 
work, together with an advanced course in electricity, 
Schenectady's pubHc school system now ranks among the 
first in the state. 

UNION COLLEGE 

Union College was essentially a pioneer institution. 
Its establishment in Schenectady in 1795 was the planting 
of a college close to the frontier and at the same time the 
marking of a new western limit to the field for work in 
higher education. This design came into life soon after 
the new nation was born and the people in the region 
chosen for the seat of learning were not specially forehanded. 
They had lived many years on the fighting line and in 
consequence had suffered great loss of property and also 
much of the natural increment from their industry. Yet, 
measured by the conditions, they gave willing and generous 
aid to the founding of the college. 

When the Schenectady Academy was brought into 
existence in 1785 it foreshadowed the coming college. The 
Rev. Dirck Romeyn, the moving spirit in the academy 
enterprise apparently had the college in mind and the 
consistory of the Dutch church, the chief factor in the 
academy undertaking, plainly had given it thought, for 
when the coming of the college became a certainty they 
gave ready assent to the conveyance of the academy 
property to the board of trustees of the new institution. 

Union College was chartered by the Regents of the State 
of New York in the fall of 1795, being the first to be char- 
tered by that official body, and the second college to be 
established in the State. The promoters and early bene- 
factors of the college were people of different creeds and 
faiths in religion, and therefore planned an institution on 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 155 

broad lines, the first clause written in its constitution being 
that of non-sectarianism in its government. As an earnest 
of their intentions in this matter the name "Union College" 
was suggested and adopted at the time of its founding, and 
the college ever since has lived consistently to its adapted 
creed. 

Union College opened in December, 1795, in the old 
academy building at the corner of Union and Ferry streets. 
The Re^^ John Blair Smith had been chosen as its first 
president, and he, together with one tutor, constituted the 
faculty, while the student body comprised nine young men. 
This faculty of two men taught "Greek, Latin, Roman 
Antiquities, Roman History, mathematics, geography, 
mensuration, natural philosoph3% English criticism, elo- 
quence, the history of America and the American Revolu- 
tion, the constitution of the United States and the different 
states, logic, moral philosophy, and metaphysics." For a 
faculty of two to give instruction in all these subjects cer- 
tainly required no small degree of ability and versatility. 
The second year there were thirty-seven students enrolled 
and the first graduating class in 1797 comprised three men. 

During the following two or three years, however, the 
college was greatly strengthened by increased funds, new 
apparatus and an added number of students. Plans were 
then developed for the erection of a new and larger college 
building. This soon took form in 1792 at the corner of 
Union and College streets and was afterwards knowm as 
West College. 

The Rev. Dr. Smith retired from the presidency in 1799 
and was succeeded by the Rev. Jonathan Edwards, the 
Younger, a man of prime ability and high ideals both as to 
life and standards of scholarship. His career was short, 
unfortunately, for he died in 1801, though not without 



156 SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 

leaving the stamp of his high character on the institution. 
The next year the Rev. Jonathan Maxcy assumed the 
duties as president and remained two years. During this 
time the West College was practically completed and ready 
for occupancy. It was a handsome stone structure of 
considerable dimensions and three stories high. 

Union's horizon broadened and her place in the educa- 
tional world became assured, however, when Dr. Eliphalet 
Nott cast his fortune with it as president in 1804. He was 
a maker and builder and a potent force in both education 
and civic life. He was to Union what President Hopkins 
was to Williams College, except that, in differentiation, Dr. 
Nott possessed marked executive and constructive ability, 
combined with the power of oratory and inj3uence in both 
social and public affairs. He was also a financier and made 
his ability along this line count effectively in securing funds 
and in the building up and extending the scope and effi- 
ciency of the college work. He strengthened all the 
departments and added new ones from year to year. As 
early as 1828 he established the course in science and in 
1845 the department of engineering. Few colleges had 
this latter course in their curriculum in those days. Union, 
therefore, early took a foremost place in higher education. 

Soon after 1800 the college came into possession of that 
vast tract of land lying eastward on Union street and 
extending northward to the Mohawk river, and on this 
site Dr. Nott began the building of the permanent home of 
the college. The location is an ideal one for a great college. 
Its elevation is ample for perfect sanitation without 
wearisome effort in approaching it, while the contour of 
the land comprising the great campus is one of picturesque 
beauty. 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 157 

Between 1812 and 1820 North and South Colleges were 
erected on the new grounds and at that time they were 
regarded as marvels in college buildings. They are sub- 
stantial structures today of much grace and classic beauty. 
Dr. Nott, besides his other attainments, had ideas of 
architecture which he worked out with much skill and 
effectiveness. Prof. Isaac W. Jackson was his co-laborer 
along this line and contributed in innumerable ways to the 
building and embellishment of the grounds. Besides Dr. 
Jackson, Union College students lived in the atmosphere 
created by such educators as Pierre Gregarie Renaud, 
Frederick R. Hassler, Francis Wayland, Alonzo C. Potter, 
John Austin Yates, Pierre Alexis Proal, William Gillespie 
and Taylor Lewis, the latter one of the noted men in the 
world of thought and education. Under the educational 
and uplifting influence of these men and others of the same 
type Union turned out strong men; and when Dr. Nott 
died in 1866, after a master service of sixty-two years, he 
left an established institution with a name and fame that 
were nation wide. 

Dr. Nott was succeeded by the Rev. Dr. Laurens 
Perseus Hickok, whose term of office covered the short 
period of two years. He was followed by the Hon. Ira 
Harris, who served but one year. The Rev. Dr. Charles 
Augustus Aiken then served as president until 1871. 

Dr. Eliphalet Nott Potter, grandson of Dr. Nott, 
assumed the presidency in 1871. While he was not the 
potential figure that his grandfather was, he did much 
toward the building up of the college. Several new build- 
ings were erected during his administration, and through 
his efforts also the funds and endowments of the college 
were considerably increased. Dr. Potter resigned in 1884 
to accept the presidency of Hobart College. From this 



158 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

date until 1888 the Hon. Judson S. Landon was the acting 
president of the college. Dr. Harrison E. Webster was 
elected president in 1888 and served with ability until 1894. 

At this date the Rev. Dr. Andrew Van Vranken Ray- 
mond was chosen to take up the duties of president. Dr. 
Raymond was a man of admitted ability, a polished gen- 
tleman, and an eloquent speaker, a man of culture and 
literary talent of a high order. During his administration 
several new scholarships were established, the department 
of electrical engineering was added, the electrical labora- 
tory built and the Nott Memorial Hall reconstructed. 
Under him also the engineermg building was planned and 
begun, and Stillman Hall, the home of the College Chris- 
tian Association was erected. It was during his term of 
office too, that the Carnegie gift was secured to the college. 
In all these different ways Dr. Raymond rendered valuable 
service to Union. He, however, resigned in 1907 to return 
to pastoral labors. 

Dr. Charles Alexander Richmond succeeded president 
Raymond in 1909 and with his assumption of the executive 
management another era of prosperity and advancement 
was assured to the college. He possesses not alone execu- 
tive ability, but a broad conception of education and 
scholarship. He possesses also the quality that makes for 
harmony among all the interested bodies, and this, 
coupled with the spirit of progress and upbuilding, is now 
giving added strength and prestige to the Alma Mater 
of many great men. 

Union College now offers exceptional advantages in 
many departments of undergraduate work. Its course in 
electrical engineering is not surpassed, if equalled, by any 
college in the United States. This has at its head Prof. 
C. P. Steinmetz, one of the noted electricians of the world; 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 159 

moreover, it has the cooperation and support of the 
General Electric Company. The college offers a wide 
range of courses, yet with all the new and technical courses. 
Union has not permitted the classical department, the 
course leading to rounded out education, to become sub- 
merged in the modern stream of special or vocational edu- 
cation. It maintains them all with a faculty wisely 
selected for efficient work in the various departments. 
The handsome and spacious gymnasium erected in 1913, by 
the alumni, came through the effort and influences of the 
present executive. 

As Union University was incorporated in 187'J, it has the 
College of Law, the College of Medicine, the College of 
Pharmacy and the Dudley Observatory, these being 
located in Albany. 



CHAPTER IX 

FIRE DEPARTMENT THE MUNICIPALITY 

^^^^^INCIENT Schenectady, in so far as record 
indicates, had very few serious fires, barring 
that one great conflagration of sad memory 
which occurred on the night of February 
8th, 1690. In the early days, however, 
every able-bodied man was a volunteer fireman, or if not 
so by his own volition and interest, he was a fireman by 
compulsion. Prior to the grant of the borough charter 
the citizens fought whatever fires that occurred without 
order or organization, but upon becoming a corporate 
community with power vested in the justices of the peace 
and the other borough officers there was some movement, 
desultory or otherwise, toward system or organization. 
This, too, was the foundation of the present modern fire 
department. 

The first law governing this service was passed in 1788. 
This borough ordinance empowered the justices of the 
peace to select twenty men to serve as firemen, the justices 
meanwhile to have full control and supervision of the 
drafted fire department. The efficiency of this was 
w orked out in the usual early day bucket system, the rules 
and regulations prescribing the number of such buckets 
to be used and where they should be deposited for ready 
availability in case of fire. 

In 1797 the first definite steps toward effective fire 
fighting apparatus was taken when the trustees re- 
solved to buy two fire engines. A communication was 
sent to Alexander Allice, London, with instruction to 
purchase two engines, one large and the other a small house 




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SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 161 

engine. After a long delay in transit these crude pieces of 
mechanism arrived and constituted the main part of the 
fire equipment. They were hand engines, the water where- 
with to supply them having to be carried in hand buckets 
and poured into the tank of the engine, from which it was 
forced out by the hand lever. 

About this time two fire companies were organized 
which were composed of many of the leading citizens of 
the time in the village. A year later, when Schenectady 
became a city, further steps were taken to increase and 
better equip the tlepartment. It was a city law too that 
the mayor and aldermen attend all fires and assume j)er- 
sonal supervision and management of the department while 
on duty. In May, 1798, an ordinance was passed appoint- 
ing seven men in each ward to act as inspectors of buildings 
and fire companies in the city. In 1799 there were two 
fire companies, one of which John Glen was the captain and 
the other was captained by John Peek. 

The same year a new company was formed and called 
the "Fire Boy Company." This was composed of twenty- 
one men whose duty it was to protect and safeguard 
property by remo\-ing as much of it as possible to places 
of safety in times of fire. Gilbert R. Livingston, James 
Murdock, David Tomlinson, Jonathan AYalton, George 
Leslie, William N. Lighthall, Dorsey Jones, James T. 
Hoyt, William J. Teller, Lawrence Van Buskirk, Dow 
Clute, James Anderson, Robert Wendell, Samuel Thorn, 
Luther Halsey, James Adair, Andrew M. Farlan, Jr., 
Abraham Van Ingen, Henry Yates, Jr., and William Cas- 
lett were members of the company. The Fire Boy Com- 
pany was in existence many years, rendering valuable 
service to the inhabitants. 



162 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

An amendment to the city charter granted by the 
legislature in 1813 provided for a company of eighty able- 
bodied men, which, when organized was called the Firemen 
of the City of Schenectady. The first hook and ladder 
company was formed in 1814. It had a captain and an 
assistant, thus making an efficient and very well drilled 
body of firemen. The same year another company called 
the Axmen was organized and worked under the same 
supervision as the former company. The first real chief 
of the fire department was also appointed in 1814. 

In 1815 four new volunteer companies were organized, 
each having a fire engine or hose cart and each had in- 
dividual dress or uniforms for parade and exhibition 
occasions. The old "teapot" engine was also a factor in 
the make-up of the department. It was a small affair, 
little more than a tank, which four men could carry into a 
building for work at close range. In 1825 company No. 4 
had what was called a "double deck" engine which was a 
vast improvement over former engines in use. 

The fire department of the City of Schenectady was first 
incorporated in 1828, and reincorporated with greater 
powers in 1848. To all these were added in 1836, two 
suction engines, two Seeley engines and a Button engine. 
This year, 1848, also the common council of the city passed 
an ordinance creating a chief of the department who 
should have almost plenary power in its management. 
Ten years later this power was again enlarged. 

The first steam fire engine was purchased in 1864 and 
three years later another was added. This was the begin- 
ning of the modern fire department which has continued 
to develop and improve with the city's growth until at 
present it is complete and efficient. 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 163 
THE CITY CHARTER 

By an act of the legislature passed March 26, 1798, 
Schenectady finally won complete independence. It then 
became a city, composed of four wards, the ancient limits 
of the village comprising two wards and Glenville and 
Rotterdam the other two wards. Rotterdam formed the 
third and Glenville the fourth. 

By a clause in the charter all monies derived from rents 
and the sale of common lands were to be divided equally 
between the four wards of the city, and that all the unsold 
woodlands within the boundries of the city were to remain 
in common for timber and fuel for the use of the freeholders 
and the inhabitants thereof; and further, that no sale of 
land should be effected without a two-thirds vote of the 
aldermen and their assistants. 

Under the provisions of the charter the government of 
the city was vested in the mayor and two aldermen and 
two assistant aldermen from each of the four wards. The 
first election was held on the first Tuesday in April, the 
term of office to begin on the first Tuesday in May follow- 
ing. The mayor was appointed by the Governor and 
Council of Appointment, and this continued in vogue until 
1820. From this date until 1840 the mayors were ap- 
pointed by the common council. In 1840, however, it 
became an elective office and has so continued since. The 
first mayor was Joseph C. Yates, a man of exceptional abil- 
ity and the qualifications essential for the administration 
of the city's affairs in those times. His long service in this 
capacity indicates the high regard in which he was held 
by the citizens of the municipality. From the incorpora- 
tion of the city until 1861 the term of office for the mayor 



164 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

was one year; at that time it was extended to two 
years. 

One of the first ordinances under the charter was to 
order that eight night watchmen be appointed. John 
Carl and Andrew Rynex were the chiefs, each having three 
men mider him. This was the first poHce patrol in the 
city. 

The mayor in the early years exercised extraordinary 
powers in municipal and civil affairs, surpassing those of a 
judge of the court of Common Pleas. He had the power 
to grant and revoke licenses, besides jurisdiction over the 
appointment of minor officials. Since 1820 the city 
charter has been many times amended to better meet the 
conditions of the changing municipality. The first 
recorder, Hermanns Peek, was appointed in 1833 and con- 
tinued service several years. He exercised the functions 
and powers of the mayor in the latter 's absence. His 
term of office up to 1862 was also one year, it then being 
extended to two years. As a part of the functions of 
the common council it was empowered, in 1815, to 
appoint as many aldermen and justices of the peace as 
it deemed necessary to constitute a full board of mag- 
istrates. A part of the duties of this board were those of 
relief work, looking after and aiding in the relief of the sick 
and the poor of the community. The first common council 
met in the old Schenectady Academy building which was 
then designated the "City Hall." It continued to meet 
there until 1816 when the city purchased the Union School 
building at the corner of Union and College streets. A 
part of the building was then occupied as the city hall 
until the completion of the new court house in 1831, and 
this latter was the city headquarters until the completion 
of the new City Hall on Jay street in 1881. 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 165 

By the year 1820 Schenectady proper, that is to say, the 
ancient section, as first estabhshed, had grown greatly in 
population, business and wealth. The two towns tliere- 
fore within the city limits had become more or less un- 
wieldy, whereupon the common council petitioned the 
legislature that they be set off as separate towns. The 
petition was granted and the towns of Glenville and 
Rotterdam were erected. From this date until 1837 
Schenectady consisted of two wards only, at which time 
by special act of the legislature they were increased to 
four. Now, in 1914, there are thirteen wards in the city. 
Yet these thirteen wards comprise in area much less 
territory than that embraced in the original corporation. 
It then contained in its area more territory than the largest 
city m the world. It was twelve miles in length by eight 
in breadth. The First Ward embraced all that compact 
part of the to^\Ti lying between Union street and the 
Mohawk river; the Second Ward, that part lying south of 
Union street and extending a short distance upon the 
Bouwlands; the Third Ward was what is now the town 
of Rotterdam and the Fourth Ward that which is now the 
towai of Glenville. 

One of the very interesting periods in Schenectady's 
history, and of which there is but meager record, was that 
between 1798, the time of its becoming a city, and 1830 to 
1840, It had not yet wholly shaken off its early time cus- 
toms, manners, habits and mode in the conduct of affairs, 
both social and public. The article herewith quoted, 
WTitten thirty days ago by a man familiar with those times, 
so graphically portrays the life and activities of the town 
during that period that it possesses singular interest and 
historical value. It begins with the organization and the 



166 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

first putting in motion the machinery of the city govern- 
ment. It begins as follows: 

"It was a day full of portent — that 9th day of April, 
1798 — when the first city council assembled in Schenec- 
tady. The city was in all the pride of having emancipated 
itself from the bonds of 'land patents.' There had been a 
legislative act making it a city of two wards and in the 
election which followed in course of law, a mayor, six 
aldermen and six assistant aldermen had been chosen. 

At this day, nearly a hundred years away, one can 
imagine the first assemblage of the fateful thirteen — twelve 
members of the council and the mayor — with the populace 
in the quaint dress and behavior of the time, as full of 
interest as those who gathered about the meeting of the 
Continental Congress. 

"The first business done was the adoption of rules for 
governance of the council, and nothing more apt could be 
imagined as a reflex of the simple habits of the people. 
Rule 1 required the members of the council to uncover 
their heads as they entered the chamber. It permitted 
them to 'sit, walk, stand and converse on any subject they 
pleased until the mayor entered and took his seat.' When 
that momentous event occurred, the councilmen were to 
sit in solemn silence excepting when addressing the chair. 
Rule 2 fined any member for absenting himself, the 
penalty ranging from twenty-five cents to three dollars — 
unless the delinquent could make reasonable excuse. 
Rules 3 and 4 provided for uninterrupted speaking, save 
when a division was called for, and for the entering of the 
division by 'yeas' and 'nays' on the minutes." 

The rules were suflBcient, apparently, for the needs, for 
in the twenty years succeeding there is no record of their 
change. The new council went to work resolutely and 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 167 

administered affairs with vim. It organized "a night 
watch, or centinels;" a fire department and a market. It 
enacted laws governing the cutting of wood, the behavior 
of the "blacks" for they were slaves in those days — and was 
also rigorous in dealing with gamesters. It even went to 
the pigs and past an ordinance prohibiting them from 
going abroad without rings in their noses, so that they 
should not tear the roads uj). Public relationship evi- 
dently at that time needed a little governing. It was a 
horse that had been going its own gait and needed a liand 
on the rein. 

In the first three years of the municipal government, 
things had been reduced to something like order, as may be 
inferred from the fact that the bondsmen of an absconding 
constable had been required to make good his deficiencies 
and a night watchman, or "Centinel", had been dismissed 
for disorderly conduct. The official sinner had mingled 
with the vicious and partaken of their vice, though his 
specific dereliction the decorous records fail to mention. 

This night watch must hsixe been a curious and rather 
fantastic force. For each of the two wards there was a 
superintendent and four men. The superintendent was 
paid fifty cents a night and the watchmen under him 
thirty-seven and a half cents a night. They furnished 
their own candles for their lanterns and bought, out of 
their salary, wood for the stove in the watch house. There 
was a long and heated war in the council, extending over 
three months before the watchmen's salary was fixed — 
this in 1800. There were those who advocated that the 
pay be forty-five cents a night for the watchmen, but the 
watch dogs of the treasury, the municipal economists of 
the time, won the day and the pay remained at the meagre 
thirty-seven and a half cents. For a while the night 



168 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

watch had no home, until a proposition was made to the 
city by one "Mr. Cooke, who will rent ci room in his new 
building, on Ferry street, for two dollars a month," so the 
record runs. The offer was accepted and the room in Mr. 
Cook's new building was the first police headquarters. 

The prime duty of the watch was to carry a staff five 
feet long, and the secondary duty to stand each hour at 
the street corner and call the time of the night. Their 
duties were mutlifarious. Among them was the capture 
of stray slaves, "who, being found abroad without a lan- 
tern, without written permission from their masters, or 
accompanied by some white person, shall be seized and 
held." The penalty was a fine of fifty cents for each stray 
negro, to be paid by the owner. What penalty awaited 
the derelict thus stranded tie law says nothing of. But 
the chances are that black back and sharp whip made or 
resumed acquaintance. 

The night watch had to deal with roysterers — the fellows 
who by some strange discord found happiness in making 
night hideous. They didn't depend on the moon then, as 
we do today, and every householder hung over his door a 
bright oil lamp. It was orthodox fun to steal these, or 
put them out, or — if the brain was heated to that point — 
to smash them. The night watch was cautioned to seize 
such demons of the night as did these sins and hold them, 
and when they were brought before the judge they were 
fined "fifty pounds." To put out the lamps was the most 
heinous offense known in those days — a sort of equivalent 
to Texas horse stealing. 

The pool selling of today with its little police tribula- 
tions was nothing to the gaming of those days. All 
through the pages of the doings of the municipal lawgivers 
there is strict denunciation of games of chance. Union 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 169 

College had been established and there were students there 
to be corrupted; so the early councils made it punishable 
by a fine of twenty-five dollars to entice a student to play 
or to permit him to gamble. A student at a billiard table 
seen by a "centinel" meant twenty-five dollars fine to the 
proprietor of the house. The student could not be fur- 
nished even with a glass of wine, except by the college 
steward, without the person so furnishing his interior being 
fined; and the householders could be mulcted for giving 
the boys a room "for festival purposes." All these things 
the "centinels", with their five-foot staves, were com- 
manded to look after. And it was possible with a view 
to a rigid preservation of student morality that "theatrical 
exhibitions, puppet shows, wire dances, feats of horseman- 
ship, or any such like idle shows of any sort," were pro- 
hibited. They were the days of "barnstorming," and hard 
was the lot of the actor in Schenectady when even the 
person who gave him shelter was brought to the bar and 
fined about as much as a company will pay for a hall for a 
night now. Sturdy piety ran in the veins of the council- 
men of that day. They were not long-faced fellows, 
either; but the substantial citizen of the day, looked at 
material interests and subserved them, setting everything 
else aside. There was a spirit of fairness abroad among 
them, as exemplified by their dealings with market men. 
"First come first served," was the motto and they carried 
it out to the letter. In 1801 an ordinance was passed, the 
market having been built, compelling every person who had 
a stall to keep it properly supplied with "plenty of all 
sorts of meat and fresh vegetables." Under no pretext, 
said the law of these burghers, shall any butcher wait on 
one person after another has begun to buy. Nor could 



170 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

he pretend that a choice piece of meat which one customer 
wanted had been pre-empted by another. 

No favoritism was allowed in those days under penalty 
of forfeiture of license. Here and there the story is told 
in curt, formal manner of some conscienceless fellow who 
palmed off bad meat; but his suppression was sudden. 

The public was as well guarded as to fire as the wisdom 
and facilities of the period permitted. Every householder 
was compelled under penalty of a fine of one dollar for 
every bucket missing, to have a leathern pail for every fire 
place in the residence; and when the flames visited one 
house, all householders were required to repair thither and 
aid in extinguishing the conflagration. At fires the alder- 
men were in high feather. They wore white linen sashes 
and it cost two dollars and fifty cents to refuse to obey the 
orders of these gentry of the white badge. Precautionary 
laws were abundant. No one was allowed to smoke near 
shavings; no one dared carry fire uncovered from one 
house to another — a testimony to the utility of the future 
matches, as compared with the days when people borrowed 
raw incandescence. Fire engines then were an unknown 
quantity excepting by report, and when, in 1802, Schenec- 
tady ordered one "made on the pattern of that commanded 
by Captain Brown, of Albany," the town was satisfied 
that it had done its level best and could sink back and rest 
in the luxurious cushions of security. 

In 1801, Schenectady was poor but patriotic. The 
"military gentlemen," as the records have it wanted to 
celebrate Independence day and had no powder. Then as 
now, patriotism and a rumpus went hand in hand, and at 
a council meeting in June of that year, Colonel Jellis Fonda 
sent a petition for a quarter cask of powder for detonating 
purposes. The treasury was low and there was no momey 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 171 

to appropriate for glory while the utilitarian, "pitching, 
leveling and paving" of streets and sidewalks was still 
unpaid for. 

The council came to the mark in the emergency and a 
Mr. John Hayes was assured by resolution that, if he 
brought the powder and turned it over to Colonel Fonda, 
the matter would be brought before the next general 
council and there was no doubt that he would be repaid. 
It is the first record of the city bonding itself for a debt of 
glory and to the credit of the good fathers be it said they 
passed another resolution at the August meeting authoriz- 
ing the treasurer to pay for the powder. There had been 
ringing of bells, too, and the story runs that, "it is ordered 
that James Lighthall be allowed eight shillings for ringing 
the bell on Independence day, and that the treasurer shall 
pay the same." 

Pauperism was sternly discouraged by the stout men 
who believed that nothing but actual disability should 
entitle one to relief, yet such indigent people as came upon 
the community for relief were promptly taken care of. 
Michael O'Brien, constable of the second ward, was 
apparently a man of influence, and many of the paupers 
were turned over to him, he caring for them at the rate of 
twentj'-five dollars a year. Each indigent person's case 
was taken up in open council and fully discussed. Mr. 
O'Brien seemed to have "a pull" in those early days, but 
his name sounds strangely among such as Jacobus Van 
Epps, Arent Bradt, Ahasuerus Van Slice, Nickolas Swart, 
Harmanus Vedder, Maus Schermerhorn, Cornellius Van 
Zantvoord and Dirk Van Vechten. There is record 
though that one pauper was more costly than the average, 
for we have it that Alexander Maul was paid at the rate of 
thirty-five dollars a year. It was possibly a testimonial to 



172 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

the fact that Alexander had struggled to the last, for at the 
same time that he was turned over to public charity, a 
resolution of council ordered the city treasurer to pay to 
John De Graff, one dollar "for an overhalls he has hereto- 
fore given him." Alexander had evidently tried to con- 
quer the world in "overhalls" and became a public ward 
when he could do nothing more. When the pauper had 
relatives, not of the community, the good municipal 
fathers were wont to be rid of him permanently. Like 
sound economists they considered it better to be rid of the 
burden at a round cost than to keep it for many years. 
Thus the council in its session of September 5, 1801, took 
up the case of Bryce McCargan, and made a contract with 
Harmanus DeGraff to transport him "from the landing to 
Niagara and thence to Detroit" where he had relatives. 
The consideration was "twelve pounds, ten shillings" and 
perhaps the community considered itself well done with 
Bryce McCargan at the price. At the same session of the 
council on that autumn afternoon another case came up, 
and it is a curious reflection on the times. On the report of 
the superintendent of the poor for the third ward, a resolu- 
tion was introduced and passed, that he be empowered to 
"provide for the maintenance of 'Cuff', a male child born 
of a slave, the property of John Schermerhorn, junior, who 
has abandoned his right to such child." Poor little "Cuff" 
was evidently not worth owning. Malformation, or some 
other accident, had made him unworthy of having a 
proprietor, and the master of his mother had disowned him. 
He was baby-formed and manumitted by the council at 
one stroke of the pen. Nearly the same time came the 
case of Sarah Jackson, an aged negress, who claimed to be 
free. This was a travelworn old woman — "old wench" 
the records call her — "the mother of Samuel Jackson, the 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 173 

property of J. Hayes." In solemn conclave it was decided 
that she was not a manumitted slave, and that she must 
be sent back to the Virginia plantation from which she had 
fled, "beating her rugged path with bleeding feet" to see 
her son in the Mohawk valley. She had apparently forged 
manumission papers and worked her way from her South- 
ern home to meet the child she had born there and who had 
been sold to some solid burgher living in Schenectady. 
The dull lines of the formal record tell no more of this 
romance in black; but it should make no tax on the 
imagination to fill the story in. It must have been a 
wonderful force of mother-love which impelled the old 
slave to risk the penalties and dangers of her journey. 
And with how many a pang must her bosom — black, but 
full of intense affection, have been rended when she was 
shackled and driven back to her owner. There was no 
sentiment then, though, in dealing with the colored popula- 
tion. The act providing for the gradual abolition of 
sal very in this state was passed in 1799 and the planters 
about Schenectady in complying with it did it shrewdly 
and weeded out their stock. The babies manumitted 
became town charges at once, and when a slave got too old 
for work, the chattel was magnanimously freed and 
became, of course, a town charge. There was apparently 
some feeling in the city about the matter, and Robert H. 
Wendle was hauled over the coals for burdening the 
people with the expense of maintaining Celia, who was 
above the age of fifty years and unable to work. The 
council decided, however, that Mr. Wendle was within 
the letter of the law and Celia added another twenty-five 
dollars to the annual tax raised for the poor. The "blacks" 
as they are invariably called were much trouble in other 
ways. They seem to have had a passion for strong liquors 



174 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

and not only drank and became turbulent but dealt sur- 
reptitiously in rum. In the woods, back of the city, they 
erected shanties in which there were riotous gatherings. 
The constables used now and then to be admonished by 
the council to proceed immediately to the scene and tear 
their shanties down; but as soon as the constables were off 
the ground the shanties went up again and the nefarious 
business was resumed at the same old stand. The stock 
presumably was not large nor the shanty more than a loose 
shelter. When the constables with their five-foot staves 
appeared, the derelict darky seized his jug and hied away 
to the brush; and when his boards were down and the 
coast clear, he put up his shop again and was ready to 
regale customers. As the city grew older and the munici- 
pal expenses increased this business ended. The aldermen 
and constables were more vigilant and every liquor seller 
was compelled to pay license. It did not cost much to 
have a license then, and from the forty permits to sell 
liquor in 1801 the income was only $442.75. The amounts 
assessed on the tavern keepers were, it seems, regulated 
by the amount of business done. Thus John Van Epps, 
in 1801, paid only $8 while in the same year Nicholas Swart 
paid four pounds, six shillings, six pence. Douw Clute 
got off cheap with two pounds, two shillings. Adam J. 
Vrooman was let off with six pounds, two shillings; but 
some licenses were as high as six pounds, six shillings. 
The money received from licenses, however, was a welcome 
help in raising the $2,150.933^ — one-half which it cost to 
run the city government. 

In addition to the cash in the treasury the auditing 
committee for that year also found in the vaults 68 bushels 
and 49 pounds of wheat. Money was scarce and the 
people who farmed the public lands paid rent in produce. 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 175 

at the rate of a sixth of a bushel of wheat for each acre 
cultivated. In this connection a curious incident occurred. 
A farmer had taken up fourteen acres of land and the clerk 
in recording the fact changed the practice from one-sixth 
to two-thirds. It took a lot of wrangling to get the matter 
straight again. The farmer was compelled to pay two- 
thirds of a bushel per acre and it was only after long dis- 
cussion that he was repaid the three-sixths overcharged. 

When the machinery of the city government was first 
set in motion it ran a little roughly. There was a vast 
amount of signing and sealing to be done. The signing was 
simple enough, but the city had no official seal, so Joseph 
Yates, the first mayor, took it upon himself to use his 
"private coat of arms" as the city seal and it was so used 
for three years. Then the aldermen began to realize their 
dignity and appointed William Corlett a committee of one 
to have a seal engraved, which should consist of a sheaf of 
wheat surrounded by the words, "City of Schenectady. 
Incorporated 1798." Mr. Corlett took upon himself to 
have two sheaves of wheat on the seal, whereupon his 
deviation from instructions was resented by a refusal of the 
seal. A new seal with one sheaf was engraved and this is 
the seal now in use. It cost the government eleven dollars, 
which was paid by resolution to Mr. Corlett, for the 
engravers. Another move in the direction of a regularity 
was the putting in order of the town clock in the Dutch 
church. In July, 1802, Rice Beach was authorized to 
repair it and guarantee that it would keep time for ten 
years. He was paid twelve dollars for the job and it was 
considered a good one until five years later, when, to the 
intense astonishment of the town folk the clock stopped. 
There was hot indignation, and at the next meeting of the 
council a committee of two was appointed to go for Mr. 



176 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

Beach with a sharp stick. The peccant clock repairer had 
promised ten years of sedulous regular ticking, and in five 
years his work had proven faulty. He was at once notified 
to do his work over, or get some other person to do it and 
pay him, or return the twelve dollars or be prosecuted. 
The inference is that Rice Beach earned his money this 
time, for the clock drops out of local history. 

As has already been said, the police and fire departments 
occupied more of the time given to legislation than any 
other subjects — land trespassing alone excepted. Early 
in the story of the city's government firemen were elected 
by the members of council and three companies were 
enrolled. The city was bonded to buy two fire engines, 
and afterward a third, and the department was then in 
full swing and ready for work. However efficient they 
may have been in the presence of danger, the firemen were 
notably lax in the performance of their company duties, 
and for the first ten years of the department men were 
dropped from the rolls at nearly every council meeting for 
this sort of remissness. Absence from five consecutive 
meetings was followed by dismissal. The governance of 
the night watch was even more troublesome than the care 
of the fire department. The first watch was unsatisfac- 
tory. They appear to have watched the watch-house 
more than they did the houses of those who slept and the 
result was that the system was dispensed wilh and able- 
bodied male citizens became policemen in rotation, the 
ward superintendents being elected. Election then meant 
taking the office, just as it does today, but unlike the 
candidates of our time the chosen people then used to try 
to shirk responsibility. In order to make then come to 
time, a fine of twenty-five dollars was imposed on any 
elected or appointed officer who declined to perform the 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 177 

duties imposed on him. The superintendents of the 
watch did not always choose to accept the positions and 
there are records of gentlemen who paid the money rather 
than be captains of police. The new system was not a 
costly one at first. Less than two hundred dollars a year 
covered the expense of policing young Schenectady; but 
in four years the council multiplied the cost by four and 
eight hundred was raised by taxation for the purpose. In 
fact, the aldermen seemed to take kindly to spending the 
]3ublic money after they got used to it, and once in a while 
they dipped their own fingers in the treasury. They used 
to appoint each other committees of one on building 
bridges, contracting for the sending home of paupers, 
inspecting elections, and doing anything that came in 
their way. They were always very particular in paying 
themselves and the items of "necessary expenses" are 
frequent. "Necessary expenses" then, it is more than 
likely, covered many of the good things of this world which 
aldermen find pleasant in the performance of public duty. 
Every extra service meant extra pay. An alderman at a 
fire could put his friends to work and the council paid for 
the labor which now is given freely. For instance, in June, 
1803, "John Corl and three other persons," were paid two 
dollars each "for services at the fire at Mrs. Taylor's;" and 
the same John Corl, and "six other persons" were paid four 
dollars and thirty-eight cents each, for similar services at 
the fire which broke out at JMr. Hatch's. The Mayor got 
seventy-five cents for every deed he signed and he signed a 
great many. If he took part in looking through the city 
account books he got ten dollars, as did each of the council- 
men on the committee with him. Councilmen used to 
appoint themselves appraisers and pay themselves well 
for the work. Here and there are entries of a couple of 



178 SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 

dollars apiece to various councilmen for "extra services," 
fifty dollars to the treasurer for "extra services," three 
dollars to the clerk of the board on the same account. 
Besides, the councilmen appointed each other to build 
bridges, repair highways, and do all sorts of public work. 
The ajjpropriation was made directly to the councilmen, 
and it may be taken for granted they didn't do the work at 
a loss. Great fellows these old councilmen were for 
litigation, too. They were constantly shaking the terrors 
of the law in the face of the people. There was much 
public land in the city and it was cheaper to squat on this 
cultivate it, or cut wood from it, without consulting the 
authorities than to consult them and pay the fees. Some- 
how or other the law didn't frighten trespassers, and the 
"honorable board" was in hot water all the early part of 
the century. They appointed wood rangers to guard the 
timber, but some of these officials were unworthy stewards 
and went to cutting forbidden timber on their own account. 
From the people who were prosecuted, nothing was 
recoverable and to prevent the costs of prosecution coming 
out of the treasury the "honorable board" was wont to 
appoint committees of one to compound with the delin- 
quents for the payment of the expenses which had been 
spent in their prosecution. With one Joel Summers the 
council had a running fight extending over three years. 
Summers must have been a prominent citizen at one time, 
for he was elected pathmaster of the fourth ward in 1799. 
But he lived hereafter in utter defiance of the council and 
set the seal of contumacy on his career by systematically 
firing the woods on the commom lands, in revenge, perhaps, 
for being prosecuted for stealing timber. Then the 
council got after him in earnest and he fled. That was 
early in 1802. Mr. Summers must have had a "pull" in 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 179 

his ward^ for at the session in June of thai year his neigh- 
bors sent in a petition asking that the prosecution be 
stayed. The councilraen, however, were on their dignity 
and would have no mercy. They put it in a formal 
resolution, that, as to this defiant Joel Summers, "no over- 
tures have been made by him, or offer to make any com- 
pensation for the injury done by him. Therefore, this 
board shall not alter their resolution respecting the prose- 
cution against him." That they didn't alter their resolu- 
tion soon is shown by the proceedings of a year afterw ards 
when an officer was voted $12.50 in consideration of his 
"taking" Joel Summers. Joel must have been a lively 
gentleman, for he was not only not "taken," but at a 
meeting in June, 1805, the council held out the olive branch. 
A committee was appointed to confer with the delinquent, 
and his offense was overlooked on the condition that he 
paid the costs of suing him. The money was paid and Joel 
Summers settled down to a quiet life. Numbers of these 
compoundings are on the records, and it was not unusual 
to find that the council — without any juducial authority — 
put a penalty of five or ten dollars on the top of the costs. 
Public land was a public trust, and it almost seems that 
anyone with pluck enough to take up a small farm in the 
city only had to put a fence around it and laugh at the 
council to enjoy life for a year or two, and then get paid 
for the improvements he had made and buy the property 
at an easy figure. Acres of land were sold in and about the 
city for five dollars an acre and much for less than that— 
property which the trespassers took up without authority 
and which the council sold to them at a low figure rather 
than get their fingers burned in a lawsuit. 

Joel Summers was not the only contumacious person the 
early city fathers had to deal with. There was John Van 



180 SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 

Eps, who was also a thorn in the side of the municipality. 
John Van Eps in 1799 ran the ferry-boat and scow across 
the Mohawk. He offered to pay twenty -five dollars for 
the privilege and pay himself out of the toll; but the 
treasurer could not get the license fee. John would neither 
pay nor give up the boats and he ran them a few years 
raking everything, giving nothing and inducing the city to 
keep the boats in repair. He was succeeded by John Van 
Vorst who seems to have been quite as hard to deal with. 
There is something plaintive in the report of the treasurer 
on being authorized to receive ten dollars a year from Van 
Vorst, that, "the said Van Vorst is not willing to pay more 
for the last two seasons (1801 and 1802) although I have 
charged him twenty dollars annually." The unfortunate 
treasurer could charge but he couldn't collect. The 
council could "resolve" and "order" and the marshal could 
be directed to enforce these resolutions and orders; but 
somehow the trespassers on the public domain and the cool 
ferrymen laughed the council to scorn and went on growing 
fat." 

MAYORS — 1798 TO 1914 
The mayors of Schenectady during its many years 
of existence have included many prominent citizens. 
Schenectady was the third city chartered in the state. 
Following are the mayors from the beginning to 1914: 
1798-1808, Joseph C. Yates; 1808-1809, John Yates; 
1809-1810, Abraham Oathout; 1811-1812, John Yates; 
1813-1816, Maus Schermerhorn; 1817-1824, Henry 
Yates; 1 825-, Isaac M. Schermerhorn; 1826-1827, David 
Boyd; 1828-29 and 30, Isaac M. Schermerhorn; 1831, 
Archibald L. Linn; 1836-, John I. DeGraff; 1837-1838, 
Samuel W. Jones; 1839, Archibald L. Linn; 1840-1841, 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 181 

Alexander C. Gibson; 1842, John I. DeGraff ; 1843-1844, 
Alexander C. Gibson; 1845- John I. DeGraff; 1846-47, 
Peter Rowe; 1848-1849, James E. Van Horn; 1850-, 
Peter Rowe; 185 1-, Mordecai Myers; 1852-1853, 
Abraham A. Van Voast; 1854-, Mordecai Myers; 1855- 
1856, Abel Smith; 1857-, Benjamin V. S. Vedder; 1858-, 
Alexander M. Vedder; 1859-, David P. Forest; I860-, 
Benjamin E. Potter; 1861-1864, Arthur W. Hunter; 
1865-1868, Andrew McMullen; 1869-, A. Van Voast; 
1870, Abraham A. Van Voast; 1871-, William J. Van 
Home; 1872-. William J. Van Home; 1873-1874, A. W. 
Hunter; 1875-1876, Peter B. Yates; 1877-1878, W^illiam 
Howes Smith; 1879-1880, Joseph B. Graham; 1881-1882, 
A. A. Van Voast; 1883-1884, John Young; 1885-1886, 
Henry S. DeForest; 1887-1888, S. Low Barhydt; 1889- 
1890, H. S. DeForest; 1890, H. W. DeForest; 1891-1982, 
Everett Smith; 1893-1897, Jacob W. Clute; 1898-1899, 
Charles C. Duryee; 1900-1901, John H. White; 1902- 
1903, H. S. Van Voast; 1904-1905, F. F. Eisenmenger; 
1906-1907, Jacob W. Clute; 1908-1909, H. S. Van Voast; 
1910-1911, Charles C. Duryee; 1912-1913, George R. 
Lunn; 1914, J. Teller Schoolcraft. 




CHAPTER X 

HISTORIC ST. George's lodge — newspapers 

HE history of St. George's Masonic Lodge 
possesses much interest, first, on account of 
its age, and, second, because its history is so 
closely interlinked with that of Schenectady. 
In its early history, too, as well as in later 
years, its membership has been composed of the leading, 
active citizens of the community. 

In the latter part of the year 1773, Christopher Yates, 
John Hughan and Benjamin Hilton, Jr., of Schenectady, 
petitioned the Right AVorshipful Provincial Grand Master, 
Sir John Johnson, for a warrant to establish and hold lodge 
meetings in Schenectady as St. George's Lodge. The 
petition was granted and the warrant was received from 
England, bearing date September 14, 1774, signed by John 
Johnson, Provincial Grand Master of the State of New 
York, and attested by the Grand Secretary of the Grand 
Lodge of England. Christopher Yates was named the 
first master, John Hughan, Senior Warden, and Benjamin 
Hilton, Jr., Junior Warden. They were authorized to hold 
meetings and formulate by-laws for the government of 
the Lodge. This original charter was surrendered in 1822 
to the Grand Lodge of New York, whereupon a new and 
substitute charter was at once issued, the Lodge having 
existed under the English grant until this date. The 
New York charter bore the signature of Daniel D. Tomp- 
kins, Vice-President of the United States and Grand 
Master of the Masonic body of New York State. St. 
George's was the last to surrender its English charter. 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 183 

The three men named in the informal warrant were 
soon joined by Robert Clinch, John A. Bradt, Arent N. 
Van Patten, Cornelius Van Dyck, and Robert Alexander. 
These, together with those previously named, constituted 
the founders of the Lodge. Hon. Joseph C. Yates 
became the sixty-third member of the Lodge. Before 1800, 
however, the Lodge had a membership of one hundred 
and ten. There are now nearly one thousand members. 
The Lodge first met in a room of Robert Clinch's hotel, 
then standing at the corner of State and Water streets. 
Clinch was one of the earliest members of the Lodge; he 
was also a Britisher, had served in the British army and 
was pro-England in sentiment and allegiance. This 
conduced greatly to his discomfiture a little later when 
the war for independence came on. Clinch was sum- 
moned before the Committee of Safety and asked to declare 
himself in the matter of his relations to the contest then 
waging. He finally took the oath of allegiance and bore 
himself with much credit thereafter. This sentiment on 
his part meanwhile, however, had engendered some ill 
feeling in St. George's Lodge, to the extent that Clinch 
refused the Lodge the privilege of holding meetings in his 
hotel. The Lodge was composed of loyal men, more than 
fifty of whom served in the struggle, among them Col. Van 
Dyck, and Col. Christopher Yates. 

The Lodge then moved to the home of A. Y. Truax and 
there fitted up a room suitable for holding meetings. In 
1779 it moved again to the residence of John A. Bradt, 
where it continued until 1782, when it was dispossessed by 
the death of Bradt and the re-marriage of his widow. 
From this date until 1790 the Lodge met in the house of 
Mrs. Clinch, widow of Robert Clinch, and at the home of 
John Hudson, who ran Hudson's Coffee House. 



184 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

In April, 1790, the Lodge voted to purchase from Clalis 
Van de Volgen the house and lot on the south side of State 
street near the point where the Utica and Schenectady rail- 
road originally crossed State street. The Lodge occupied 
this building exclusively until 1835, at which time it was 
taken over and occupied by the railroad. From 1835 to 
1844, the Lodge, like many others during the Morgan raid 
period, met not more than once a year at the homes of 
members of the order. By this latter date, however, the 
Lodge had, in great measure, recovered from its long 
period of lethargy and so took steps towards securing 
suitable lodge rooms. Arrangements were therefore made 
with the trustees of the old Lyceum school, situated at the 
corner of Union and Yates streets, whereby St. George's 
Ix)dge occupied the upper floor of the building, taking, as a 
part of the consideration $650 stock of the school. As a 
further part of this agreement the school was to receive 
the income from the Lodge property on State street while 
the Lodge in return again was granted four yearly scholar- 
ships in the school to be used by either sons or daughters of 
lodge members. This arrangement continued in force 
until 1856, when the Lyceum school ceased to exist. The 
Lodge then moved to the upper floor of the Van Home 
building on State street. In 1868 the Masonic Temple 
was erected which has since been St. George's home. In 
1800 the Lodge's number was No. 7, in 1819, No. 8, and 
in 1839 it dropped to No. 6, as at present. 



ST. George's chapter no. 157 
St. George's Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, had its 
definite beginning February 3d, 1861, although there were 
several organizations of this character at a much earlier 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 185 

date. There is a record of a Mark Lodge as early as 1797 
and another in 1811, also one in 1812. 

The Grand Chapter, however, on the date first above 
given granted a warrant to H. R. Wetmore, James Adams, 
William Teller and others to hold a Chapter of Royal Arch 
Masons in Schenectady under the name of Cyrus Chapter 
No. 1 1 . This connects it directly with the original chapter 
because at this date records state that Cyrus Chapter 
returned the Mark warrant. The present St. George's 
chapter, therefore, succeeded Cyrus Chapter No. 11, the 
original number still remaining unassigned to any chapter 
in the state. Cyrus Chapter seems to have lost its iden- 
tity in the Masonic body in 1828. In February, 1856, 
at the Convention of the Grand Chapter, a warrant was 
granted to S. L. R. Buchanan, high priest. Jay Cady, 
king, Stephen H. Johnson, scribe, and others to hold a 
chapter at Schenectady to be known as Mohawk Chapter 
No. 157. By permission of the Grand Chapter the name 
was changed in 1872 to that of St. George's Chapter No. 
157. The charter members of St. George's Chapter, 
besides those mentioned in the warrant, were Peter Dorsch, 
Frederick R. Mudge, Roswell Perry, x\bram A. Van Vorst, 
Jacob W. Jones and Peter B. Yates. The chapter has 
increased rapidly in membership during the past twenty 
years, until it now numbers above eight hundred. It is 
composed of the energetic and influential men of the city. 

St. George's Commandery No. 37 K. T. was instituted 
Oct. 3, 1866. The warrant for New Hope Lodge No. 730 
was granted November 30, 1872, and the Charles Mead 
Lodge No. 862 was instituted September 23, 1907. 



186 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 
NEWSPAPERS — EARLY AND LATE 

The era of newspapers in the State of New York began 
soon after the close of the War of the Revolution ; in fact, 
the population in any given place or community prior to 
that period was too small to maintain or warrant such an 
undertaking. The outcome of the issue, however, gave 
marked stimulus to these enterprises, so that between 
1782 and 1800 a few lean, struggling weekly publications 
were launched. Very few of these early ventures lived 
long enough, however, to attain the dignity of a newspaper, 
yet many of them were started by men of ability who were 
more or less potential in local affairs. 

The first printers in Schenectady were Wykoff and 
Brokaw. Their printing shop in 1792 was located at the 
corner of State and Washington avenue. Three years 
later, it seems, Brokaw withdrew and Wykoff continued 
the business. In 1796 Wykoff began the publication of 
the Mokawk Mercury and ran it about two years, when it 
passed to a Mr. John L. Stevenson. As to the span of the 
Mohawk Mercury's life there is no record. However, this 
same John L. Stevenson on January 6, 1799, started the 
Schenectady Gazette, and the office of publication at this 
time seems to have been at the corner of State and Ferry 
streets. December 20, 1802, he changed the name of the 
paper to the Western Spectator and Schenectady Advertiser, 
and under this name ran it until about 1807. Stevenson 
then discontinued the publication of the newspaper and 
moved his printing plant near the Dutch Church on Union 
street. 

This same year Ryer Schermerhorn began the publica- 
tion of the Mohawk Advertiser, which he personally con- 
ducted until 1810. Mr. J. Johnson then became the 
publisher and editor, representing the proprietor, W. S. 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 187 

Buel, who kept a book store on State street. There is no 
record as to how long the publication lived. Nor is there 
any data to indicate whether Schermcrhorn re-entered the 
newspaper business. 

In 1823 Isaac Riggs began the publication of the 
Miscellaneous Cabinet, a weekly newspaper largely devoted 
to literary selections and articles by local writers. It was 
an eight page publication which was quite unusual in that 
period. Its degree of success or length of life is not 
recorded. 

The next year G. Ritchie, Jr., launched the Mohawk 
Sentinel under the editorshi}) of Archibald L. Linn. The 
editor was a young lawyer of some ability, yet the paper, it 
seems, had a brief career. The jjublication office was on 
Ferry street. 

The Rev. John Maxon in June, 1830, started a paper 
called the Protestant Sentinel, a paper devoted to religious 
matters and was an exponent of the Seventh Day Baptist 
creed and faith. It was issued from No. 39 State street 
for a period of five or six years. 

In 1830 also the Schenectady County Whig Avas estab- 
lished by C. G. and A. Palmer. They were at 34 Ferry 
street, where they published the paper a little more than 
four years, finally in 1834 selling the plant to Nathan 
Stone, who soon thereafter assigned the paper and printing 
equipment to Giles F. Yates. The latter continued it but 
a short time, when it died on his hands. 

The Reflector and Schenectady Democrat, a weekly news- 
paper of considerable force and strong character, was 
started in January, 1835, by Giles F. Yates. It was 
issued from the print shop of Robert P. Paine, corner of 
State street and Mill Lane. In July, 1836, Yates sold the 
paper to E. H. Kincain, who carried it on with some success 



188 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

until February, 1841. It was then sold to Abraham Key- 
ser and D. Cady Smith became the editor. During this 
time it was a paper of recognized influence. It was a 
strong paper until the late sixties. 

The Schenectady and Saratoga Standard was begun in 

1833. The publication office was at 96 Washington 
avenue. Israel Sackett was the publisher and Thomas J. 
B. Sutherland the editor. After one year the paper was 
moved to Balston. 

The Wreath, a political newspaper was begun Nov. 22, 

1834, by William H. Burleigh and Isaac Riggs. It had a 
flickering life and never attained a substantial footing. 
After six months the name was changed to that of the 
Literary Journal, but in spite of the change in name it died 
before the end of the first year. This same year Riggs and 
Norris started the Mohaivker, which died in early infancy. 

The Schenectady Weekly Star was started sometime in 
1834 by Jesse and Daniel Stone. The Morning Star was 
begun February 24, 1855, and in September following it 
was purchased by Walter N. Clark and William Colbourne 
who at once changed the name to the Evening Star. It 
was the first successful daily newspaper in the city. It 
continued until consolidated with the Daily Union. In 
1857 Clark withdrew from the copartnership and Col- 
bourne continued the paper with Isaac M. Gregory as 
editor. Gregory became a newspaper writer of note. 
He was at one time editor of the New York Graphic and 
also a writer on the Rochester Post Express. 

Colbourne sold the Star in 1861 to H. L. Grose and two 
years later William D. Davis and Isaac M. Gregory pur- 
chased it. The Star during these years was a newspaper 
of influence and enjoyed prestige. Gregory sold his 
interest to Davis, who in 1865 sold the paper to J. J. 




SAMUEL H. SEXTON 

His studio, where for forty years he painted pictures 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 189 

Marlette. Up to this time it was a Republican paper; 
under Marlette it was Democratic. From 1876 to 1901 
A. A. Marlette controlled the paper. In 1880 the name 
and good will of the old Morning Gazette was purchased by 
the publisher of the Star and the paper appeared under the 
name of the Star and Gazette, the latter paper going out of 
existence, except the weekly edition of the papers. The 
word "Gazette" was later dropped, however, and the Star 
went on under its former name. 

The old Gazette was started by Walter N. Thayer in 1869 
and a little later it passed to Geo. W. Martette, who 
started the Morning Gazette. 

The first daily newspaper venture was the Daily Ancient 
City started in 1852 by Stephen S. Riggs. Apparently it 
secured no footing for it died in a few months. 

The Antiquarian and General Revietv was begun in 1845 
by the Rev. William Arthur, father of President Chester 
A. Arthur. The latter as a boy attended the Lyceum 
School in the city where he prepared for college. The 
Rev. Arthur was pastor for several years of a church in the 
city, for two years of which time he conducted the above 
publication, which was devoted to religious affairs. 

Judge Piatt Potter, during the campaign of 1848, ran 
the Freeman s Banner which is put down as having been 
the organ of the Barn Burners' party. The publication 
was suspended at the close of the campaign. 

The Schenectady Democrat was begun on January 3, 1854, 
by William Colburne {\nd W. N. Clark, who in 1857 sold it 
to A. J. Thompson, and two years later it was purchased 
by Cyrus Thayer, who in 1860 consolidated it with the 
Reflector, the name then becoming the Reflector and Demo- 
crat. 



190 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

The Western Budget was begun in June, 1807, by Van 
Vechten & Son at No, 10 Union street. At the end of two 
years they sold the paper and plant to Isaac Riggs, who in 
1810 changed the name to the Schenectady Cabinet. Under 
the latter name the paper made more than ordinary success 
for those days of journalism, and also stood well in the 
regard of the community. In 1814 Isaac Stevens became 
associated with Riggs in the publication of the Cabinet, 
the office then being moved to 34 Ferry street, and finally 
back to Union street, a little east of the Dutch church. 
This latter publication office seems to have been also the 
dwelling of Isaac Riggs. Upon his death in 1837, his son, 
Stephen S. Riggs, carried it on under the name of Freedom^ s 
Sentinel. Yet in 1843 he resumed the original name, the 
paper becoming the Cabinet and Freedom's Sentinel. It 
continued under this name until 1850, at which time the 
latter part of the name was dropped, giving place to the 
Schenectady Cabinet. Riggs published the paper until his 
death in January, 1857. 

William M. Colbourne in 1857 began the publication of 
the Weekly Republican, with Judge Judson S. Landon as 
editor. It was started as a political newspaper and was 
continued until 1867. 

The Rails pli iter was another campaign paper published 
for a few months in 1860. 

In 1859 F. W. Hoffman and D. F. Loveridge started the 
Daily News. It struggled along for two years and went 
out as a failure. 

The Daily Times made its appearance in 1861 and was 
absorbed by the Evening Star before the end of its first 
year. 

The Deutscher Anzeiger. a German paper, was brought 
out in August, 1878. Ernest Knauer was the editor and 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 191 

publisher and the office of the paper was at 176 State 
street. The paper Uved several years. 

Under the direction of the International Union of 
Locomotive Engineers, The Locomotive Firemen, a monthly 
publication, was begun in 1872. It was the organ of the 
Locomotive Fireman's Association. Henry Hoffman was 
its editor and conducted it until its suspension in 1878. 

In 1811 a publication called the S>toriad was started by 
students of Union College, but lived only a brief time. 
This was followed in 1827 by the Student's Album, a 
monthly publication. This continued two years. The 
Censor appeared in 1881 and ran until 1833. Union 
College Magazine was published from 1860 to 1875. This 
was followed by the College Spectator, a monthly publica- 
tion, which ran three years. The Concordenis succeeded 
the Spectator and continued for a considerable time. 

The Dorpian, a weekly newspaper, was launched in 1867 
by A. A. Marlette and A. W. Kelly. It seems to have been 
another one of the many similar newspaper ventures that 
came to an early death. There is no record of its being 
in existence longer than a few months. 

THE DAILY UNION 

The Schenectady Daily Union came into existence in 
November, 1865, as the enterprise of Senator Charles 
Stanford. This was soon after the close of the Civil War 
when politics and party sentiment were in a violent stage. 
It was started as the exponent and organ of the Republican 
party. Col. S. G. Hamlin was its first managing editor, 
a man of ability and a Republican of the most virile type. 
Hamlin continued at the helm for several years and upon 
his retirement Welton Stanford became the editor. 



192 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

In 1883 the Union was purchased by John A. Sleicher, 
another newspaper man of demonstrated ability. He did 
not own it long, however, for in 1884 it was sold to Hon. 
George West. Lewis C. Beattie and Geo. W. Cottrell 
were then the editors. The Union was a strong newspaper 
and gained a substantial footing in the community. 

In 1897 James H. and Olin S. Callanan purchased the 
Union and conducted it under the firm name of Callanan 
Brothers. The place of publication was then in Central 
Arcade. In 1898 James H. Callanan purchased the 
interest of his brother and continued the business as the 
sole proprietor. Meanwhile the city was rapidly growing 
in population and the Union also grew and expanded with 
equal rapidity. By 1905 the original quarters had become 
wholly inadequate for the business, and to provide for this 
a new and modern newspaper building was erected in 
South Clinton street, its present location. 

In January, 1906, the business was incorporated as the 
Schenectady Union Publishing Company, with James H. 
Callanan as president. The Daily Star was taken over in 
1911, the name then becoming the Union-Star. The 
Union is an independent Republican newspaper of vigor 
and influence. 

THE SCHENECTADY GAZETTE 

The Schenectady Daily Gazette grew out of the Weekly 
Gazette which was started in 1869 by W. N. Thayer. In 
1872 James R. Wiseman and Harman Seymour became the 
publishers. They carried on the business for two years, 
when it passed to G. W. Marlette and William K. Lee. 
The latter soon retired from the firm and Marlette con- 
tinued as the oAvner and editor. 



MOSES VINEY 

Ex-Slave. For fifty years the idol of Union College 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 193 

In 1893 the issue of the Schenectady Daily Evening 
Gazette was begun. Before the end of the first year, how- 
ever, it was changed to a morning issue. The pubhshers 
were then the Schenectady PubHshing Association. Mr. 
Gerardus Smith was the president of the company and 
associated with him were Mr. Charles P. Marlette and 
Mr. E. G. Conde. In 1899 it was incorporated as the 
Daily Gazette Printing Company. The chief owners at 
this time were Gerardus Smith, Henry S. DeForest and 
George W. Van Vranken, with Smith as the president of 
the company. Since 1904 the officers have been Gerardus 
Smith, president and treasurer and Austin M. Liecty vice- 
president, secretary, and general manager. 

The Gazette has made marvelous progress during the last 
ten years. It is now a large daily paper with excellent 
news service, both as to local and press news. It is 
Democratic in politics, with a large and representative 
clientage. The equipment of the Gazette is complete and 
modern in all respects. Ir has occupied its present quar- 
ters on State street since 1899. 

The Commercial News was started in 1895 by Roy B. 
Myers and continued a short time, and the Electric City 
News in 1897 by John F. Kennedy. The Independent was 
published for a few months in 1901 by Geo. F. Roberts. 

THE EARLY BROOM-CORN INDUSTRY 

For nearly a century the broom-corn and the broom 
making industries, like those of boating and boat building, 
brought renown and with it wealth to the enterprising and 
energetic citizens of Schenectady. That industry ha<i its 
inception among the farmers on the Mohawk flats. Prior 
to the opening ot the great western lands the Mohawk soil 
was the most prolific in the country. The yield of broom- 



194 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

corn was very large and as an outlet and market for it the 
making of brooms was begun and soon grew to a business 
of great magnitude. The city and the outlying towns were 
filled with broom factories and the product was going to 
every section of the country, in fact, Schenectady and the 
Mohawk Valley made the brooms for the United States. 
New devices and machinery were invented by Schenec- 
tadyans from time to time which vastly increased the 
volume of business. This business continued until after 
the middle of the nineteenth century, when it was lost to 
the great west. 

MAYOR YATES 

Hon. Joseph C. Yates, the first mayor of Schenectady, 
became a distinguished citizen and a man of national repu- 
tation. He was the son of Col. Stoeffel Yates, who earned 
the highest commendation for his gallant service both in 
the Colonial wars and later in the Revolution. He served 
also as deputy quartermaster general under Gen. Philip 
Schuyler. He died at his home in 1785 honored and 
esteemed by the community and all with whom he had 
associated during his long period of military activity. 

Joseph C, after rendering valuable service for several 
terms as mayor, was elected to the State Senate and later 
became one of the Supreme Court Justices, an office he 
filled with much credit. He was elevated from this to the 
governorship of the State and made an able and con- 
scientious executive. Col. Christopher was no less dis- 
tinguished as a soldier and loyal citizen. 

Henry, a brother, was Senator from Albany County, and 
a man who achieved wonderful success in the world of 
finance. 



SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 195 

John B. Yates was elected to Congress from Madison 
County and was also extensively identified with great 
state and national improvements, among them was that 
of the building of the Welland Canal. The other brother, 
Andrew became a Presbyterian clergyman and one of the 
early and distinguished professors in Union College. 

It was during Yates' mayoralty tenure that the first 
night watchmen were appointed by ordinance of the 
common council. The board of aldermen and the mayor 
apparently were rigorous commissioners of public safety 
for they laid down some very irksome rules of duty and 
discipline. First, these night watchmen were required to 
wear badges and carry a staff at least five feet in length, 
and in passing out at the hour for service had to go two 
abreast. A part of their duty was to patrol all the streets 
under the jurisdiction of the common council and cry out 
the hour in a loud and audible voice from the various street 
corners each hour of the night; also, in case of fire to give 
the alarm, arouse all the citizens and then hurry to the 
scene of the fire for active duty as fire fighters. As a 
further part of their duty they were to arrest all salves 
found upon the street after the hour of the curfew bell, 
unless said slave or slaves had a lighted candle in a lantern, 
or was accompanied by master or guardian. For this 
service these watchmen received fifty cents for each night. 
This, however, was the beginning of the police department. 

THE TOLLS 

The first Toll, Carel Hansen, settled in Schenectady 
prior to 1785. He was a Swede and an industrious, 
thrifty citizen. He early purchased a considerable tract 
of land on the Mohawk flats and became one of the suc- 
cessful farmers. He died in March, 1728. 



196 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

Captain Daniel Toll was the oldest son of Carel Hansen. 
He married Greitje, daughter of Samuel Bratt. Captain 
Toll was killed at the Beaukendal massacre on July 18, 
1748. His son John, born two years previous to the killing 
of Daniel Toll, had a large family of children who lived in 
and around Schenectady. 

One of the conspicuous figures in the colonial days was 
Jellis Fonda whose name and deeds brought honor to 
those who bore his name and to Schenectady, his adopted 
home. He was accounted one of the bravest and most 
indomitable fighters in the Colonial Wars and a man whose 
life and spirit were devoted to the interest of his country. 
Fonda was closely associated with Sir William Johnson 
and enjoyed the latter 's esteem and confidence. His son, 
Major Jellis Fonda, was one of the most gallant soldiers 
in the Revolutionary War. Two others, Jonathan Stevens 
and William McGinnis were the same type of soldiers. 
It was said of these and their associates from Schenectady 
that they fought like lions. 

The Common Council on March 30, 1802, passed an 
ordinance for the construction of the Albany turnpike. 
The work on the road was started soon thereafter and 
completed, although the stone highway was not under- 
taken until 1811. During these years the teaming between 
Schenectady and Albany was extensive, owing to the fact 
that all shipments of goods to and from the west began and 
ended at Schenectady. 

About this time the movement began for paving the 
main streets of the little city. The first material used in 
this improvement was gravel drawn from the outlying 
sections. Later on cobble-stones were designated as the 
paving material. Washington street was the first to be 
elevated to the dignity of a paved street. Ferry, Church, 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 197 

Union and Front streets were paved between this date and 
1820. These were business streets at that time, with 
residences interspersed. Washington street was the main 
business thoroughfare and was Hned with stores and shops 
of various kinds nearly its entire length. 

It was in 1799 that the streets of the city were formally 
laid out and the names of many of them changed. Niska- 
yuna street or road, became Union street, so named in 
consideration of Union College. Up to this date State 
street was Albany street, or Albany road. The present 
Center street was then Maiden Lane, and Water street 
was changed from Fonda street. Mill lane. Front and 
College streets, retain their original name as does Jay 
street. Barrett street, opened in 1803, was then Mont- 
gomery street. These well asphalted, well kept streets 
of today, indicate the forward stride in street building, 
compared with the cobble-stones of 1815. 

During these early years much interest centered in and 
around the old Mohawk bridge; it was a feature of the 
town, one of the wonders at least of the Mohawk Valley. 
It was the trysting place also for the town's idle and the 
seekers for seclusion by night, because of its walled and 
hooded construction. For the first fifty years or more 
after the erection of the bridge Christopher Beekman, or 
"Uncle Stoeffel," was the toll taker at the south end of the 
bridge. 

Uncle Stoeffel was an odd character yet full of the simple 
goodness that made everybody who knew him his friend. 
He lived alone in the little shack at the end of the bridge 
and was on the alert night and day in the performance of 
his duty in the matter of collecting tolls. He guarded the 
structure with equal assiduity, seeking always to protect it 
from blemish or stain. In spite of his long faithfulness to 



198 SCHENECTADY- ANCIENT AND MODERN 

duty and the heart kindnesses bestowed upon all classes, 
Uncle Stoeffel, after eighty years of age, went to the "poor- 
house" to end his days. 

The war of 1812 gave much stimulus to business in 
Schenectady. The transportation of goods, already of 
great volume, was vastly increased by shijjments of war 
supplies to the western points of the different army head- 
quarters. The Binne Kil during these years was literally 
choked with cargo-laden craft, either out-bound or 
waiting at the wharves to be unloaded. It is doubtful if 
the Mohawk river ever again presents a like scene. The 
channel of the Mohawk is not now as wide or as deep as it 
was in those days, because, first, the channel was cleared 
of the stone and all debris that obstructed navigation. 

In the early years of the nineteenth century Schenectady 
was more or less the headquarters for the jugglers of poli- 
tics. Many of them were residents of the city and others 
of the same feather from different sections of the State, 
gathered with the local sages at Hudson's Coffee House, 
the Ellice mansion and other established places to make 
and unmake the political fortunes of those pushing to the 
forefront in public life. Chief Justice Robert Yates and 
Mayor Joseph C. Yates were factors in party affairs at 
that time. About this period Aaron Burr, of unsavory 
memory, visited Schenectady and, although yersona non 
grata among most people, in a general sense he was admit- 
tedly a potential figure. 

During the war of 1812 Gen. Scott with his troops 
camped on the west side of the Mohawk, a little distance 
beyond the Scotia end of the Mohawk bridge. After the 
close of the war General Scott visited Schenectady and 
delivered an address. He also met in the city some who 
had served under him during the war. 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 199 

For many years prior to and long after the close of the 
war of the Revolution the Poor Pasture, or the Strand, as 
that part of the present city lying east of Center street was 
called, was the scene of varied activities. First, it was the 
headquarters of large boat building industries, especially 
that j)art of it near the river; and during the Revolution- 
ary War it was the camping ground for many Indians. It 
is said that it was not uncommon at this time to see two 
or three thousand there at a time. On one occasion six 
hundred Onondaga Indians, passing through as prisoners 
of war, camped on this ground. Besides, a considerable 
number of Indians occupied bark houses. 

Schenectady's geographical position, together with the 
large number of her citizens who were active in the struggle 
contributed toward making the place a center of interest. 
Among those who achieved fame in the service were Col. 
Cornelius Van Dyck, Major Christopher Yates, Col. 
Abraham Wemple, Col. Van Slyck who led a regiment 
under Mad Anthony Wayne at Stony Point an<i under 
Arnold at the battle of Saratoga. Besides these, the 
Blens, the Fondas, the Van Schoicks, and the Bradts, 
many of whom had served gallantly in the Colonial Wars. 

During this long and trying struggle Schenectady con- 
tributed not only fighting men but other sinews of war. 
The grist-mills of the village were drawn on to their limit 
for food products for soldiers in the vicinity. 

THE YANSES 

Schenectady at the time of its becoming a city had also 
become a cosmopolitan town. The great boating business 
and allied industries had attracted people of many nation- 
alities and, therefore, diverse types of character. The 
strangest type of all, however, were the Yanses who came 



200 SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 

from nobody knows precisely where and settled on Albany 
Hill in 1798. Nor is there any record as to their nativity 
or to what race they belonged. They were straight -haired 
and swarthy of complexion, with some of the characteris- 
tics and habits of the Indian. They were not Aztecs, 
although they burrowed in the ground or the sand dunes 
in the locality where they took up their abode. They 
mingled with the citizens to some extent in and around the 
city and, it is said, finally intermarried with the other races, 
thus becoming an integral part of the subsequent genera- 
tions. They had no aptitude or inclination toward indus- 
try or thrift. They wove baskets, made trinkets and per- 
formed as little service as possible in other lines to earn a 
stuyver. This band of gypsies, nomads, i' is said, re- 
mained in the region until they became assimulated and 
finally merged entirely with the population of the com- 
munity. 




THE NEW FITZGERALD BUILDING 

Located on Clinton street — Showing the extension of substantial, modern business 
buildings on the cross streets 




CHAPTER XI 

ERECTION OF THE COUNTRY — BANKS AND BANKING — FIRE 
OF 1819 

[CHENECTADY County was established by 
an act of the legislature passed March 7, 
1809, the county being set off from the 
western part of Albany county. 

Hon. Joseph C. Yates was then a Justice 
of the Supreme Court. Hon. Gerrit S. Vedder was 
appointed the first Judge of the Court of (^ommon Pleas 
of the country; William J. Teller, the first surrogate; 
Peter F. Vedder, Clerk, and James V. S. Riley, sheriff. 
The first court held in Schenectady was that of General 
Sessions on May 9, 1809. 

The justices were then appointed by the Council of 
Appointment and this mode so continued until 1821, when 
a change in the State Constitution vested this power in the 
Board of Supervisors combined with the Court of Common 
Pleas. In 1746 the Constitution was again amended with 
the result that the Court of Common Pleas was abolished, 
and the County Courts established. The first County 
Judge of Schenectady county was Samuel W. Jones, 
elected by ballot in June, 1847. 

For a period of twenty-one years after the formation of 
the county the county and city departments occupied the 
same building. In 1830, however, the new court house 
and jail combined was erected on Union street, which 
continued to be the county building until the completion 
of the new and modern building opposite Crescent Park 



202 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

on Albany street in 1913. Tlie original building on Union 
street serves as the jail, and the former County Clerk's 
office is now the home of the Schenectady County His- 
torical Society. 

The first board of Supervisors met October 3, 1809. 
The board was composed of the following members : 

First and Second Wards, Maus Schermerhorn, third 
ward, Rotterdam, Alexander McMichall ; Third, Fourth 
Ward, Glenville, James Boyd; Duanesburg, William 
North; Niskayuna, Lawrence Vrooman; Princetown, 
Alexander Murray. William North was chosen first 
chairman of the board, and Cornelius Z. Van Santford, 
County Treasurer. 

BANKS AND BANKING 

From the date of the founding of Schenectady to the 
time of the establishment of the first banking institution 
was one hundred and forty-six years. The city at this 
latter date was in the zenith of its early commercial pros- 
perity. Prior to the war of the Revolution there was 
practically no currency in the country, in fact, very little 
actual money of any kind, hence there was small need for 
banks. After the beginning of the nineteenth century, 
however, when the new nation had become established the 
way was opened for the establishment of banks in the cen- 
ters of business. 

On March 13, 1807, the Mohawk Bank was chartered by 
an act of the legislature and its organization was perfected 
soon thereafter. The act authorized James Constable, 
Henry Yates, Jr., Louis Farqharson, Gerrit S. Veeder, 
Moses S. Beal and David Boyd to act as commissioners to 
open books for the receipt of subscriptions for the stock 
of said bank. These books were opened in June at the 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 203 

house of James Rogers, where the first election of directors 
and officers took place. Within three days the capital 
stock subscriptions were fifteen and one-half times the 
amount of the bank's authorized capital, the stock after- 
wards being issued in pro rata allotments. The stock was 
not issued, however, until April 15, 1808. Meanwhile 
James C. Duane had been elected president and David 
Boyd cashier. The bank opened for business on the 
twenty-first of the same month. The business for more 
than ten years seems to have been carried on in a dwelling 
on Church street, between Union and Front streets. 

That some of the members of the board of directors at 
this time were not particularly i)unctilious about attending 
the meetings from time to time is indicated by the follow- 
ing resolution passed on February 22, 1809: 

"Resolved, that any director who shall not attend the 
board within ten minutes after the regular meeting— the 
time to be ascertained by the cashier's watch— shall pay a 
fine of one shilling, unless absent from tow n or sick in bed." 
There is also the record that a considerable number of 
fines were paid into the treasury on this account. 

On April 15, 1809, the directors appropriated $3,600 for 
the purchase of a site for the banking house, although 
apparently the lot was not purchased nor the building 
begun until 1815. The building, a three story brick 
structure, was erected at the northwest corner of Union 
and Church streets about 1820, possibly a little earlier, 
upon the ground now occupied by the Mohawk Club. 
The original building is still standing but with some 
changes and enlargements. 

The bank continued at this location until 1857, at which 
time the center of business had become thoroughly 
established on State street. It had then been established 



204 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

fifty years and meanwhile had accumulated a considerable 
sum in worthless securities which, while not great enough 
to put the solvency of the bank in jeopardy, it was deemed 
best either to reduce each share-holders, stock one-half or 
levy an assessment of fifty per cent. The former proposi- 
tion was accepted and the institution thereby became 
financially strong again. This was done prior to its becom- 
ing a National bank in 1865. Since that time it has grown 
steadily and has rounded out a career of one hundred and 
seven years without a blemish attaching to it in the con- 
duct of the banking business. The banking house now on 
State street is well fitted and equipped with every facility 
requisite in a modern banking institution. 

George C. Maxon was the president of the bank from 
1865 to 1886; Judge Piatt Potter, 1886 to January 14, 
1890; Charles Thompson, January 14, 1890, to April, 
1894; H. S. Edwards, April 17, 1894, to March, 1903; John 
A. DeRemer, March 31, 1903, to July 1 1907 H. V. 
Mynderse, M.D., was chosen president July 16, 1907. 
Charles Thompson was the cashier in 1865 and served in 
this capacity until his election to the presidency. I. G. L. 
Ackerman succeeded him and served until December, 1896. 
E. L. Milmine was then chosen cashier and is still in 



THE SCHENECTADY SAVINGS BANK 

The Schenectady Savings Bank was chartered and began 
business in 1834. It was located on State street in what 
was then the business center of the city west of the New 
York Central railroad. There it remained and grew 
steadily through the many recurrent financial crises of its 
eighty years of existence. 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 205 

Hon. Joseph C. Yates served as the bank's first president 
and did much toward laying the foundation of its successful 
and honorable career. The bank has had the benefit of 
many efficient presidents and officers in its various depart- 
ments. D. Cady Smith a successful banker, was its 
president during several years. 

Following the eastward trend of business, the trustees 
in 1906 erected the new and modern bank building at the 
corner of State and Clinton streets. The banking quarters 
now are spacious, handsomely fitted, furnished and 
equipped with the best facilities for a modern saving bank. 
It has above thirteen thousand depositors with a total 
deposit of more than nine millions of dollars, with a surplus 
of $437,739.35. 

The present oflScers are: President, Everett Smith; 
first vice-president, William L. Pearson; second vice- 
president, H. W. Denningtom; treasurer, Allen W. 
Johnston; assistant treasurer. Win S. Rowe. 

THE SCHENECTADY BANK 

The Schenectady Bank, operating under the State laws, 
began business in 1838. It was located on the north side 
of State near Church street. Thomas Palmer was the 
first president of the bank and William H. Palmer its 
cashier. The institution went on successfully for about 
twelve years, at which time it became crippled by reason 
of an excess volume of worthless securities. In face of 
failure the State Banking department took charge and 
finally a reorganization was effected on the basis of a 
reissue of the stock at fifty cents on the dollar. This 
adjustment rendered the institution solvent again, from 
which time it went on successfully. 



206 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

J. Cady had been president prior to the financial diffi- 
culty but withdrew and was succeeded temporarily by 
Simon C. Groot. After the reorganization and the placing 
of the bank in a sound condition again, Cady returned to 
it as president. J. Cady was succeeded by D. Cady 
Smith, a man of banking ability who directed the affairs 
of the institution for many years. 

d In 1902 the Schenectady Trust Company was organized 
and chartered on May 15 of that year. The new corpora- 
tion at this time took over the old Schenectady Bank, the 
latter then thus losing its identity in the greater institution. 
The capital stock of the Trust Company is $250,000. 
Business was begun on June 25 following the grant of the 
charter, suitable banking quarters being fitted up on the 
south side of State a little west of the New York Central 
railroad. A part of the Trust Company's banking house 
was originally occupied by the Schenectady Savings Bank. 

The organizers and directors of the Trust Company at 
the beginning were Charles I. Barney, A. Foster Higgins, 

F. L. Eldridge, G. L. Boissevain, Judson M. Gerard, Pliny 
Fisk, John D. Pearsons, Jr., Randall J. Le Boeuf, J. R. 
Lovejoy, J. P. Felton, S. M. Hamill, H. Earle Freeman, 
James A. Van Voast, Charles Francis Coffin and Charles 

G. Briggs. S. M. Hamill was chosen the first president 
and Evans S. Kellogg, secretary; H. B. Boardman, 
treasurer. Geradus Smith, who had been serving as vice- 
president resigned on September 9, 1907, and was then 
elected to succeed Mr. Hamill as president; and upon the 
resignation of Mr. Kellogg, Mr. Henry A. Allen, Jr., on 
July 16, 1907, was chosen assistant secretary and assistant 
treasurer. The first executive committee was composed 
of John D. Parsons, Jr., H. B. Randall, J. K. Lovejoy, J. P. 
Felton, C. G. Briggs, and W. G. Schermerhorn. 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 207 

The Schenectady Trust Company has already become 
one of the strong banking institutions of the state. It has 
a deposit of above six million dollars while its clientage is 
made up not only of citizens of Schenectady but a wide 
area of outlying count^v^ 

THE MERCANTILE BANK 

The Mercantile Bank was established in 1852 or 1853. 
Its location was on State street next to the Schenectady 
Bank. Daniel Tomlinson was one of its promoters and 
also its president. The bank seems not to have filled any 
want in the city and therefore made no degree of success, 
because at the end of about seven years it liquidated and 
went out of business. So far as record indicates, there was 
no losses growing out of the undertaking. 

THE CITY BANK 

The City Bank was organized in 1874 with a capital of 
$100,000. In this enterprise T. W. McCamus was the 
chief force. He was its president and O. L. Luffman the 
cashier. For ten years the bank did a large volume of 
business and became well established. At this time the 
Jones Car Company, of whose paper the bank held a large 
sum, became involved and finally went into bankruptcy 
from which the City Bank suffered serious loss and ruin. 
In 1885 Mr. McCamus resigned the presidency of the bank 
and was succeeded by Charles G. Ellis. The year follow- 
ing the institution went out of business, yet it paid its 
stockholders in full. The projectors and principal stock- 
holders were Andrew Truax, E. Nott Schermerhorn, 
William J. Van Home, C. Van Slyck, Charles G. Ellis, 
George Curtis, Abraham Gillespie, Gerrit S. Veeder, 
Marcus N. Millard, O. S. Luffman and T. W. McCamus. 



208 SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 
UNION NATIONAL BANK 

The Union National Bank was organized in 1891 with a 
capital of $100,000 and $20,000 surplus. It received its 
charter in the early part of 1892 and began business on 
June 12 of that year. The first directors of the bank were 
W. T. Hanson, J. W. Smitley, J. E. Van Eps, Clark Wit- 
beck, J. G. Graham, H. W. Dennington, F. W. McClellan, 
L. A. Skinner, Edward D. Cutler, J. B. Warnick, John 
Kellogg, L. W. Case and W. H. Conde. W. T. Hanson 
was chosen first president, J. W. Smitley, vice-president, 
and J. E. Van Eps, cashier. 

The Union National has been a successful banking 
institution from its beginning. It is now a strong bank 
with a surplus considerably more than twice its capital 
stock. In 1906 the present banking quarters on State street 
were rebuilt and refitted in a manner and style that make 
it one of the fine banking houses of the State. The present 
directors and officers are: W. T. Hanson, president; 
Clark Witbeck, first vice-president; F. W. McClellan, 
second vice-president; Lee W. Case, third vice-president; 
W. S. Lambie, cashier. The directors are: W. T. 
Hanson, Clark Witbeck, F. W. McClellan, J. E. Van Eps, 
Lee M. Case, H. W. Dennington, L. A. Skinner, E. D. 
Cutler, Albert L. Rohrer, Daniel Naylon, Jr., H. R. 
Hegeman, T. Low Barnydt and W. T. Hanson, Jr. 

THE CITIZENS TRUST COMPANY 

The Citizens Trust Company is the youngest banking 
institution in Schenectady. It was chartered September 
24, 1906, with a capital of $150,000. As an evidence of its 
success it already has a deposit of nearly three million 
dollars and a surplus of $227,444.00. This bank also is 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 209 

located on State street with well appointed and well 
equipped banking quarters. The officers at the beginning 
were the same as those at present. William G Schermer- 
horn, president; James W. Yelverton, first vice-president; 
George W. Featherstonhaugh, second vice-president; 
William G. Shaible, secretary and treasurer; Frank D. 
King, assistant secretary. 

THE FIRE OF 1819 

The fire of November, 1819, marked the second great 
catastrophe that befell Schenectady. Although one 
hundred and twenty-nine years had passed since the 
greater calamity of 1690, the years had been devoted to 
the building and rebuilding of the town and its commercial 
interests an)d it had finally attained a high state of pros- 
perity. This, together with a great part of its accumula- 
tions, was swept away in a night, the great conflagration 
destroying more than one hundred buildings, and reducing 
to ruins the finest portion of the old town. The great 
storehouses and wharves along the Binne Kil which, 
together with the river shipping constituted the main 
element in the city's commercial life and stabilitj^ were 
also laid in ruins. The warehouses of Yates, Mynderse, 
Ellice, Stephen N. Bayard, Duncan & Phynn, Jacob S. 
Glen & Co., Walton & Co., Luther & McMichael, and 
many others were completely ruined. 

In the meanwhile the Erie Canal was in process of con- 
struction, and was finally completed and opened for traflac 
in 1825. The original route of this waterway was laid out 
along the Binne Kil, which, had the plan been carried out, 
would have in some measure preserved the commercial 
prestige of the West end of the old part of the city. The 
influence against it, however, was too potent and the canal 



210 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

was located far away from the business zone. A writer in 
the Schenectady Reflector under date of March 12, 1841, 
speaks as follows of the town prior and subsequent to this 
particular era in its history. 

"No portion of our city has been so subject to the 
changes and vicissitudes of fortune as has the West End. 
Forming originally a large proportion of the old town and 
lying more immediately upon and adjacent to the river, 
early and naturally it became the center of business and of 
commerce, and formed almost exclusively what might 
perhaps be termed the city proper. The terminating 
point of the navigation of the Mohawk, and the carrying 
place for the trade between eastern and western sections 
of the State, Schenectady, at an early day became a place 
of no little importance — possessing more of a business 
character and exhibiting more of life and activity than 
could possibly be inferred from its present unimportant 
position. Trade soon found its way into other channels — 
its wharfs were deserted— its storehouses closed — its 
merchants retired from business ; while the blackened and 
tottering ruins, which upon every side marked the extent 
and severity of their recent calamity, arose amid the silence 
and gloom which so sadly and so forcibly announced the 
period of their commercial existence. Long years elapsed 
before it eventually recovered from these disastrous and 
untoward events and it is only of late that it has presented 
its present appearance of elegance and finish. At different 
and subsequent periods various attempts have been made 
to revive the prosperity of the West End and attract to its 
old haunts the commerce and business which had fled. 
As time and experience proved their hopelessness and 
inutility they have successively been abandoned until its 
citizens and the quarter they inhabit have gradually 



SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 211 

assumed their present dignified repose and quiet, and 
genteel appearance." 

The commercial prestige of a hundred years was thus 
bhghted by the elements and the march of progress. This 
was followed by a long period of "masterful inactivity" in 
business and the forward movement, and while Schenec- 
tady's future at that time seemed to be all in the past its 
real greater era of commercial prosperity was yet to come, 
as events have demonstrated. 

The completion of the Erie Canal, it so happened, was 
the same year that Gen. Lafayette visited the city. It 
was on one of the first canal boats that he was transported 
from Syracuse to Schenectady, where a notable demonstra- 
tion was given in his honor. John Van Antwerp and 
another young boy by the name of Wemple marched in 
the procession and carried the Bible on this occasion. 
The affair was largely in charge of the Masonic body. 

HON. JOSEPH C. YATES 

Joseph C. Yates became a potent factor in public affairs 
at a most fortunate time for the behoof and well-being of 
Schenectady. He came from a family of strong, resolute 
men, imbued with the spirit of progress and advanced 
standards of citizenship. The Yateses were English, yet 
when the time came for the throwing off the yoke of 
English dominion, they were found fighting for the 
colonies. Col. Stoeffel Yates, the father of Joseph C, was 
a brave soldier and a valuable citizen. He served with 
distinction through the war of the Revolution and died in 
1785. 

Joseph C. Yates became the first mayor of Schenectady 
in 1798, being then only thirty years of age. He was an 
excellent executive and served the young city through a 



212 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

long period of time. His education was obtained mostly 
under private instruction, yet he appears to have been well 
fitted in respect of education as well as in intellect to 
sustain himself in any position. 

Judge Yates was born in Schenectady, Nov. 9, 1768, and 
was admitted to the practice of law in 1792. He at once 
opened an office in the city and began a career that won for 
him both honor and high position. He was active and 
influential in the movement for founding Union College 
and when it became legally organized Judge Yates was 
chosen as one of the trustees, an office he continued to hold 
with great helpfulness to the institution until his death. 

In 1806 Mr. Yates was elected to the State Senate and 
re-elected for three successive times. In 1808 he was 
appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court and served with 
marked ability until January 1st, 1823. In the fall of 1822 
he was elected Governor and served two years. In 1825 
Governor Yates was chosen President of the Electorial 
College which was a special honor at that time. Through- 
out a public career of about forty years devoted to many 
trusts and public welfare work he discharged his duties 
with fidelity and ability. He died in Schenectady, March 
19, 1837. 

HON. ALONZO C. PAIGE 

Another distinguished citizen of the early part of the 
nineteenth century was Judge Alonzo C. Paige. He was 
not a native of the city yet practically all of his active pro- 
fessional life was spent in Schenectady. He was born in 
Rensselaer county in 1799 and graduated from William's 
College in 1815, or when he was only sixteen years of age. 
His father, the Rev. Winslow Paige, was a Presbyterian 



SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 213 

Clergyman who was pastor of a church at Schaghticoke, in 
Rensselaer county. 

Soon after his graduation Mr. Paige entered a law office 
in Schenectady as a student, and in 1818 he was admitted 
to practice. From that time Judge Paige was closely 
identified with Schenectady, devoting much time, thought 
and energy toward its advancement. 

In 1824 Mr. Paige was appointed district attorney and 
on account of his able conduct of the office was retained in 
the position for fifteen years. By the year 182(5, he had 
become prominently identified with the politics of the 
State and was that year elected a member of the Assembly, 
being re-elected three successive years. Subsequently he 
served two terms in the State Senate. In 1830, he was 
chosen Reporter of the Court of Chancery, a position he 
continued to fill until the amendment to the Constitution 
in 1846 abolishing that court. At this time he was elected 
a Justice of the Supreme Court and after ten years' service 
in this court was elevated to the Court of Appeals bench. 
Judge Paige from 1838 to the time of his death was a trus- 
tee of Union College, rendering that institution valuable 
and earnest service for its advancement. He was also a 
member of the Constitutional Convention of 1867, and 
1868. On account of his ability and learning he was 
honored in 1857 with the degree of LL.D. Judge Paige 
died in Schenectady in March, 1868, after a life of earnest, 
honest and successful labor. 

HON. PLATT POTTER 

The Hon. Piatt Potter, a contemporary and associate 
of Judge Paige, won distinction for himself and the bar of 
Schenectady. He was a jurist of demonstrated ability 
and probity, with the qualities of a statesman, as evinced 
in his official acts. 



214 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

Judge Potter was born in Gal way, Saratoga County, 
April 6, 1800, the son of Restcome Potter of New England 
birth. In his early life Judge Potter attended school at 
Schenectady and in 1824 began reading law in the office of 
Judge Alonzo C. Paige. After his admission to practice in 
1828, he located in Montgomery county, where he prac- 
ticed law until 1833. AVhile a resident of IMontgomery 
county in 1830, he was elected to the Assembly and while 
a member of that body rendered able and efficient service. 

In 1833 Judge Potter removed to Schenectady and 
formed a co-partnership with Judge Paige, they being thus 
associated until 1846. In 1836 Mr. Potter was elected 
district attorney and was successively elected until 1847. 
In the meanwhile in 1828 he was appointed Master in 
Chancery, and discharged the duties of this office also 
until 1846. 

In 1857 Judge Potter was elected a Justice of the Supreme 
Court and re-elected in 1865. He served also on the 
Court of x\ppeals bench, in all of which capacities he dis- 
charged the duties in a wise and able manner. 

In 1865 Judge Potter was chosen a trustee of Union 
College and here too he was a potent factor in the better- 
ment of the institution. Meanwhile he acted for a con- 
siderable time as the president of the College. The Col- 
lege in 1867 bestowed upon him the degree of Doctor of 
Laws. Judge Potter was the author of several works 
along legal lines all of which are still regarded as standards. 

In 1836 Judge Potter married Antoinette, daughter of 
Judge Paige, his former preceptor and partner. He died 
in Schenectady in 1877, and by his death Schenectady lost 
an eminent and valuable citizen. 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 215 
GEORGE WILLIAM FEATHERSTONHAUGH 

One of the very conspicuous and valuable citizens of the 
community during the first half of the nineteenth century 
was George W. Featherstonhaugh, F.R.S., F.G.S. who 
settled in Duanesburgh in 1806. He was a scholar, a 
statesman and a leader in all movements of progress and 
upbuilding. He it was who first conceived the idea of a 
steam railroad and as early as 1812 began his work to make 
it a reality. It was through his efforts that the charter 
for the Mohawk and Hudson River Railroad was procured 
in 1826, and he served as its first vice-president. 

Besides this, his life-work extended to many fields of 
endeavor and in all of them he won distinction. Mr. 
Featherstonhaugh was born in London in 1780, but on 
account of the Gordon riots he was taken to Scarborough, 
Yorkshire, where he was brought up and educated. He 
graduated at Oxford in 1800 and from that time to 1806 he 
traveled on the Continent of Europe, visiting the impor- 
tant places and acquiring meanwhile many languages. 
In 1806 Mr. Featherstonhaugh came to the United States 
on a travel and exploration trip. Two years later he 
married Sarah Duane, daughter of Judge James Duane, 
the marriage taking place at St. George's Church, Schenec- 
tady. In 1809 he erected a great mansion on the banks of 
Featherstonliaugh Lake in the town of Duanesburgh, and 
there carried on for many years the most extensive exper- 
imental farm in the country. He imported blooded stock 
from Europe, organized the State Board of Agriculture and 
published two volumes on agriculture. In 1812 he com- 
menced the agitation for a railroad, and published many 
articles in relation to the project. In 1826 he obtained the 
passage of a bill incorporating the Mohawk and Hudson 
Railroad, the charter being granted soon thereafter. He 



216 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

and Stephen \ an Rensselaer, the Patroon, were the only 
two directors named in the charter. \-a\\ Rensselaer was 
elected i)resident and Featherstonhaugh, vice-president of 
this the first passenger railway in the United States, and 
the beginning of the great system of railways of this 
country. 

In 1826 ^Ir. Featherstonhaugh sailed with his wife for 
England in the interest of the railroad, where he spent two 
years in travel on the Continent. In 1828 they returned 
to America and soon after this he lost his wife by death. 
Added to this loss his mansion with all his works of art, 
painting and manuscripts were destroyed by fire in 1829. 
From 1830 to 1831 he engaged in lecturing on Geology, 
and published meanwhile the Monthhj American Journal 
of Geology and Nafiiral Science. This was the first publica- 
tion of its kind in the United States, a publication which 
received the approbation of "The Fathei of American 
Geology." In 1833, in recognition of his work on Geology, 
through the influence of Webster and Clay, he was 
appointed the first United States Geologist and in 1834 
made research trips through the Slave States and to the 
Borders of Mexico. In 1835 and 1837 in the interest of 
the government he explored the Great North West, a 
country at that time far beyond the confines of civilization. 

At the time of the agitation over the Northeast boundry 
line between Maine and Canada, he went to Quebec and 
laid his view of the controversy before Lord Dunham, 
Governor General of Canada. In February of the next 
year he sailed for England with the purpose of laying the 
matter before the British Government, and while there he 
interviewed Lord Palmerston and explained to him his 
views of the situation, presenting the maps also which he 
had prepared showing the supposed line. On account of 



SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 217 

his ability and knowledge of affairs he was given a place 
in the Foreign Office by Lord Palmerston, and July, 1839, 
was u[)pointed by the British Government one of two 
commissioners to explore the country between Maine and 
Canada and make an actual survey and map of the sup- 
posed line. This was completed in 1844 after which he 
returned to England and presented his report to the British 
Government, receiving therefor the thanks of both houses 
of Parliament. 

From 1844 to 1845 Mr. Featherstonhaugh engaged in 
the j)ublication of his travels and subsequently went to 
I*aris where he was entertained by Louis Phillippe, the 
King of France. The next year, or in 1845, he was 
appointed by the British Government Consul of the Lower 
Seine and Calvados with a residence in Havre, France. 
During this time he learned of the place of concealment of 
the King and Queen of France who had been driven from 
Paris by the Revolution to the Hills back of Honfleur. 
By means of disguise and passing the King off as his uncle 
he got them safely to Havre and on board of an English 
i'acket. For this ser\ice he was presented by the King of 
France with a gold box studded with diamonds in remem- 
brance of the event. He died at Havre, France, in 1866 
and was buried at Tunbridge Wells, England. Among his 
many publications were: "Memoirs of the Board of 
Agriculture of the State of New York," "The Republic of 
Cicero," a translation; Monthly American Journal of 
Geology and Xational Science; "I Promessi Sposi," transla- 
tion from Manzoni; "The Death of Ugolino," a tragedy; 
"Excursion Through the Slave States"; "A Canoe Voyage 
up the Minnay Sotor"; "Observations of the Treaty of 
Washington." 




(HAPTER XII 

THE RAILROADS — EVP:\TS IS.'U) TO 18.50 

p r^pi^J ^JHEX Robert Fulton's little argosy first made 
V / ™ »1 y its way up the Hudson river in 1807 it at 

onee broadened the vision of the possil)ilities 
t steam power. His boat was propelled by 

-team, an<l so the idea of a steam railroad 
took root and soon developed into an a(tualit\ . 

As early as 181'-2 the agitation in this direetion began and 
continued until the charter foi- the first steam railroad in 
tlie United States was procured in 1826. George W. 
Feathcrstonhaugh was one of the prime mo\ers and pro- 
moters of this initial enterprise. He and Stephen Van 
RensseUer were the two directors named in the charter of 
the Mohawk and Hudson Railroad. The organization of 
the company to go forward with the undertaking was soon 
effected and the work of construction began July 29, 1830, 
and one year later the road was completed from Pros[)ect 
Hill in Schenectady to Lydius street, or the western 
suburbs of Albany. 

The first steam locomotive used was that called the 
"DeWitt Clinton" which, with two little "omnibus" coaches 
made the trip, twelve and one-half miles, in one hour and 
forty-five minutes. This was on the 3d of August, and on 
the 16th of the same month two trains in each direction 
passed ovei the road at a greatly increased rate of speed. 
Both coal and coke were tried as a fuel, but finally wood 
fuel was adopted and used, as it was on all early steam 
railroads. 



SCHENFXTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN ^19 

Soiiu' (Icfi'cts in tlir DeWitt Clinton engine delayed the 
formal opening of the road, but on the 9th of September 
this engine, drawing two coaches, made the trip in forty- 
\\\v minulrs. The little coaches were very much of the 
pattern of the stage coaches of the west in early times, or 
\icc versa, an<l the wo(Klen rails with a thin strap of iron 
s|»iked on the surface afforded the passenger little of the 
(oinfort and ea^- of the Pullman car on the hea\^ steel 
rails of th.- i.n-M-nt. Oftentimes in this first railroad the 
spik«-s would iMconir loosemnl, so that the strap of iron 
wouKl roll up. wiiercupon the engineer stopped the train, 
went ahea<l on the track and drove spikes in the rails for 
th<- train to i>a>-. ^'ct it was an important steam high- 
way, thf lirst to begin operation in the United States. 

Oil th.- twenty-.second day of September the road was 
formally ..peiietl for IrafHc; meanwhile many guests and 
olli.iaK of th.- roa.l had ridden back and forth during the 
trial stage. 

Herewith is the first time schedule, together with the 
rul<'< and rruMilations governing the operation of the road. 

MOn.\WK AND HUDSON RAILROAD 

Thr following arrangements will be observed on the 
Kailroail. until further notice: 

Cirria-es will leave the head of the incline plane, % of a 
n.ilc froni the Citv of Schenectady, at the following times: 
1 , p;ust 4 in the morning; 8 o'clock a. m.; 12 o'clock noon; 
2 o'clock p. M.; 4 o'clock p. M. 

To leave Vlbanv at the head of Lydius street, two miles 
from the Hudson river at the following times: ^ past 
G o'clock, A.M.; 10 o'clock A. M.;M past 4 o'clock P.M. 

The locomotive Engine "'DeWitt Clinton , will depart 
in the following order: 



^'^O SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

Leave head of i)laiie at Schenectady at 8 o'clock a. m., 
and 2 p. m. Head of Lydius street, Albany, at 10 o'clock, 
A. M., and }/i past 4 p. m. 

Passengers taking the Carriages at Schenectady at }/2 
half past 4 in the morning, will arrive at Albany in season 
for the 7 o'clock morning Steamboats. Those leaving at 
l^ o'clock, in ample season for the afternoon Steamboats. 
Also, those taking the Ixjcomotive at 'i \\ M., will arrive at 
Albany in season for the 4 o'clock Boats. 

Passengers may lie secured at the office of Messrs. Thorp's 
& Sprague's, in .\lbaiiy and Schenectady. Price, including 
stage fare, 7oc. 

John T. Clark, 
Agent of the H. & M. Railroad Co. 

N. B. Passengers who may desire it, will be accommo- 
dated at each end of the Railway with tickets at .50 cents. 
Transportation at the ends of the Railroad will be furnished 
by Messrs. Thorp & Sprague. 

The terminus of the road at either end being in the out- 
skirts of the city, stages were used to transport i)assengers 
to and from the stations. A grand opening excursion was 
given on the 24th of September, 1831, at which many 
notables were present to participate and give the impress 
of their approval of the enterprise. On this day the 
DeWitt Clinton engine hauled a train of five coaches over 
the length of the route in thirty-five minutes, which was 
regarded as a great achievement. Upon the demonstra- 
tion of the success of the undertaking, its stock at once 
advanced in price, its dividend earning power also increas- 
ing from year to year. The cost of the construction and 
equipment of the road up to this time was $483,215. By 
the spring of 1832 the road was fully completed at an 



SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 221 

H<l<litional cost of $156,693, and another grand excursion 
\vas given on the 14th of May. 

The engineer of these first engines did not enjoy the 
comforts of a cushioned cab as lie does at the present day; 
h«' sat or stood unprotected from the storm and cold. 

A new and greatly improved model of car was soon 
d<'\ise<l and made in Schenectady. It was somewhat 
larger and more comfortable. This was called the Gothic 
car. In this early period of the road, too, the cars or 
coaches w<'re let down and drawn up to the summit of 
I'rospcct hill by means of an incline plane. There was a 
stationary engine at the top with a long rope attached to 
the coach and balanced by another car loaded with stone, 
so tiiat as the one car was being drawn up the other was 
descending. From the foot of this incline the cars were 
<lrawn to the center of both the terminal cities by horses. 
This continued until 1841, at which time the route was 
somewhat changed and the trains reached the first station 
on State street, Schenectady, drawn by the regular locomo- 
ti\-c. .V handsome depot was then erected on the site of 
the present New York Central station and served until it 
was destroyed by fire in 1843. The road by 1841 had 
proved to be almost a phenomenal success and other steam 
roads were projected and completed rapidly. 

THE SARATOGA AND SCHENECTADY RAILROAD 

The success of the first ungraceful, lumbering little rail- 
road was the inspiration for other similar undertakmgs 
Schenectady became a center of activity m railroad 

projects. , ^ , . J 

The second enterprise wa^ the Saratoga and Schenectady 
line begun in 1831, the year of the opening of the Mohawk 
and Hudson. The Company was organized on the 16th 
of Febriiarv and the work of construction was begun that 



22^2 SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 

spring. In 1832 it was coin[)leteti an<l put in operation. 
The terminus of this road was at the corner of State, Water 
and what is now known as Riiilroad .street. The company 
had a .station at this point. From here it ran through a 
"cut" or subway under State street north, passing also 
under l^nioii street at or near the present Historical 
Society's l)uilding and thence through an<l under Front 
street and .so on to the Mohawk bridge, where it crossed 
the river on a track constructed for tiie {)urpose. For a 
time the cars through this underground section were 
drawn by horses. The engine house was a small brick 
building located on the north side of the river. At this 
point the steam engine was attached to the cars and thus 
went on to Saratoga. 

After the construction of the Utica and Schenectady 
Railroad, or about twelve years after the comj)letion of the 
Saratoga and Schenectady, the latter company ran over 
the tracks of that line for some distance, then swerved to 
the north on its own track. About 1877 it became a part 
of the Delaware and Hudson line and has so remained. 

In 1835 the Utica and Schenectady Railroad was built, 
and eight years later, or in 1843, the Troy line was com- 
pleted. In 1869 the Schenectady and Duanesburg Rail- 
road was started and completed in 1873. This branch 
runs south to what is known as Quaker street and there 
connects with the Albany and Susciuehanna which is now 
the Delaware and Hudson. In 1866 the Athens Branch 
was constructed which later became a part of the West 
Shore. In 1853 all the separate roads betw^een Albany and 
Buffalo consolidated thus becoming the New York Central 
Company, and in 1869 this line was merged with the 
Hudson River Railroad, under the title as at present. 
The West Shore and Buffalo was completed in 1883. 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 223 

The Erie Canal had been in operation six years when this 
first Httle railr()a<l opened for traffic. The Canal had 
Ix'conu" a well known waterway doing a large business in 
both freight and passenger transportation. The following 
were the different lines of j)assenger packet boats in opera- 
tion on the canal the year the railroad began business. 

ITK A AM) SCHENECTADY PACKET BOAT CO. 

There were daily lines between Utica and Schenectady 
and the running time was about twenty-hours. The 
"Mohawk" in charge of Captain Hewlet, the "Ohio," 
Captain Haskell, the "Delaware," Captain Courtier, the 
"Nictuiy." Captain Jenkins and the "Hudson" under 
Captain Dwight. 

Ditfcn-nt lines of boats also ran to Charlotte,Ontario 
Hcach, Niagara Falls, Geneva, New York, Philadelphia, 
and Baltimore. .Vll the.se various lines were advertised 
in detail and scheduled in the guide-books of that time. 

At this date, 1831, S. WiLson ran a book store at number 
00 State street. He also advertised "a printing office and 
bindcr>- in c-onnection with his store." John J. DeGraff 
was a rc;il estate dealer. He advertised farms for sale, 
-at a reasonable price" in Rotterdam, Glenville, Duanes- 
burg and other localities, while Peter Ouderkirk announced 
that he had leased the Second Ward House located at the 
corner of Ferrv and Liberty streets, formerly occupied by 
(^apt. H. R. Wendel. He speaks of it as being a commo- 
dious, well appointed hostelry. 

Jesse M. Van Slvck also advertised a large and well- 
stocked general store, and the weekly Whig published by 
C. G. & A. Palmer announced a new equipment of material 

for printing. , ., 

\ .niide-book published in Schenectady in 1831 describes 
the phice in c-onsiderable detail, a few extracts of which are 



•2^24 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

hero fiuot.od. After sj)e;iking of the (luaintncss of its 
ancient Dntch arcliitecture it says: 

"The commercial business in the city was for a time 
rather impeded than otherwise after the completion of the 
canal. But for the last four or five years business has 
greatly increased, and many fine l)rick stores and dwellings 
have been erecte<l. The public Imildings are a spacious 
Court House four stories high and of stone in which the 
jail is kej)t; the Mohawk Bank, a s|)acious four-stor>' brick 
building, the Lancaster School, two markets, six churches, 
one for the Dutch Reformetl. one for the Presbyterians, one 
Baptist, one Episcoj)alian, one Methodist and one Came- 
ronian. 

The principal hotels arc Mr. Davis's formerly the 
Givens Hotel, constructed of brick, fifty feet front and 
extending l)ack from State street one hundred and fifty 
feet, with three stories besides an attic stor>' an<l a wing 
two stories high. The hotel can accommodate a hundred 
and thirty guests. It is finished throughout in a very 
superior style and affords every comfort for the traveler. 
It al.so speaks of tlie City Hotel wWwh was then conducted 
by Mr. I^dyard. 

The original Givens' Hotel as described above was 
burned in the fifties and rebuilt in larger form and more 
modern .still. It gave place to the Edison in 1885. 

THE CHOLERA OF 1832 

In 18.S^2 when the Asiatic cholera broke out in Canada 
and spread across the border into the United States there 
was a crj' of alarm went through the country and every 
municipahty took immediate measures to combat the 
scourge by every means then known to medical science. 
It did not pass over Schenectady either in its spread of 



SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 225 

^loom and death. The city authorities passed a resolu- 
tion to fit up rooms in the old brick college building in 
order to render aid and effectiveness to the work of the 
board of health. Dr. John S. L. Tornnelier was at that 
time the iiealtii officer of the city. Dr. McDougall, Dr. 
Mcdriffiii and Dr. Toll joined the health physician in an 
rlfort to j)revent its dreaded presence or to battle against 
its ra\'ages as much as possible. Yet it came with terrific 
force and most melancholy results. In the lower section 
of the city the scourge did its most deadly work, and it 
extender 1 to the flats or low lands of Rotterdam. It is 
recor<lcd that funerals took place almost hourly for a 
considerable time. Fortunately, it was approaching 
toward September and when the cool nights and frost 
came on these factors were far more effective in stamping 
out the plague than were the physicians. There was a 
return of it again in 1849, yet its death record was small 
compartMl with that of 1832. In this latter visit the 
Rc\-. Dr. John .\ustin Yates, a Professor in Union College 
fell a victim to the disease. On two different dates after 
this the disease made its appearance in the vicinity, 1854 
and 18()«, but in these instances the death toll was small. 

THE YOUNG MEN's UNION 

During this period several societies and organizations 
wt-rt^ formed in the city that were factors in education and 
civic betterment. 

In the second quarter of the 19th century the educa- 
tion and entertainment of grown people were provided 
for largely by voluntary associations of young men. 
The local Young Men's Association was founded in 1837 to 
maintain a circulating hbrary and reading room, conduct 
debates, supply lecturers and engage in other work of self 



226 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

improvement. Sirnihir associations had been introduced 
in this State a tew years before from New Enghxnd, the 
society in Boston including among its public lecturers 
Caleb Crushing and Daniel Webster. Members paid small 
dues, an<i their weekly entertainments were oi)en to the 
public for a slight admission fee. The rapid spread of such 
associations lead to annual conventions of deh'gates from 
the local .societies. For many years the celebration of the 
Fourth of July was organized by the association into a 
parade and exercises in the Dutch Reformed Church. 
Similar in aim to this society were the Apprentices' Associa- 
tion and the Young Men's City Temperance Society, 
Their success was due largely to the active encouragement 
of Dr. Nott and professors of Union College. All of these 
associations maintained attention, and the people in pro- 
portion to their numbers were i)robably better supplied 
with free books than they are today. 

THE SCHENECTADY INSURANCE COMPANY 

In 1841 a mutual fire insurance company was formed in 
Schenectady and continued to carry on the business for 
mort^ than forty years. It was incori)orated May 26, 1841, 
the legal title being the Schenectady County Insurance 
Company. It was a co-operative or assessment comi)any 
of which there have been many all along the way from that 
period to a verj-^ recent date. 

The incorporators of the Schenectady County Insurance 
Company were: Archibald L. Linn, John Oklen, Peter 
Banker, William ^I. McCamus, Isaac M. Schermerhorn, 
Gerrit W. Veddcr, John Constable, David Hearsay, Simon 
C. Groot, Theodoric R. Van Ingen, Nicholas Swits, John 
Sanders, and "all other persons who may be hereafter 



SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN ^^7 

associated with them for the purpose of insuring their 
respective dweUings, shops, stores and other buildings." 

The company had an active and strong working agency 
in Sclienectady and a large volume of business was done 
both in the city and outlying country. 

THE OLD CLUTE FOUNDRY 

The Clute foundry for thirty years or more, beginning in 
1840, was an industry of considerable account. It was 
located along the canal opposite the New York Central 
train sheds and near the Liberty street bridge across the 
canal. The Clute Brothers matle high grade engines and 
machinery used in the packet boats that plied on the Erie 
Canal. They had the distinction also of building the 
engine for the Government that went into the gunboat 
"Merrimac." which played so important a part in the 
early days of the Civil War. The Clute foundry had a 
wide reputation. 

As an indication of the change in the last fifty years, 
in the year 1855 the city of Schenectady raised by tax for 
schot)l purposes $8,100, the following year the tax for the 
.same purpose was $6,000 and in 1857, $8,000 was raised 
for schools; for lighting the streets $4,000, fire purposes, 
$1-200, for the poor $"2500. and for the police department 
$1000. 

The present appearance of Crescent Park, with its 
beautiful shade trees and broad walks, would scarcely 
warrant the belief that from 1825 to 1840 it was an 
imsightly mud hole. Yet it was. In the rear of the 
present armorj' and at the southern end of the park there 
was a gorge of considerable depth, which was a playground 
for the boys and also a dumping ground for the community . 
A little below the park, and in the center of State street, 



«^ SCHENFXTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

stood an old wooden pumj). This pump was the fountain 
head for water for a ^reat portion of the dwellers in the 
immediate vicinity. At this time too the pigs were so 
numerous in the streets in this section that they almost had 
the right of way. \Vhen one went to this ol<I pump for 
water, it was a battle against odds to keej) the pigs out of 
tlie i)ail while pumi)ing tlie water. Soon after this date, 
however, an ordinance was passed by the city fathers 
which deprived these pigs of their unrestricted liberty. 

Opposite the park on the north side of Stiite strtM.'t was a 
long row of yellow, two-story wooden buildings. In one 
of these buildings a Mr. Higgles made wheelbarrows and 
wagons. In 184!), when the great movement toward 
California .set in, Riggles sent a boat-load of his wheel- 
barrows to the new mining countn,' and, it is .said, found 
ready and profitable sale for them. 

The old circus ground was in the open lot near the 
American Hotel. This w-as then a broad stretch of pasture 
hind. Here Dan Rees and Van Ambergs circuses held 
forth from year to year, and many other exhibitions occu- 
pied these grounds. This was the anij)liitheatre of the 
town. 

Westward on State street near the corner of Church 
street stood the little old building called the "Re<l Cow." 
In this building Major Broderick kept an intelligence office 
and also sold lottery tickets, the latter of which w^as a 
legitimate business in those days and fairly remunerative. 

Major Broderick was of unique personality, yet with the 
strength of character that made him an interesting figure. 
He was a man of intelligence, courteous and suave. He 
usually dressed in a swallow-tail coat, made of gingham, 
a yellow vest and a high standing collar, with the old 
fashioned black cravat. The major had been a soldier and 



SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 229 

won his title in the service which tended to make him the 
more interesting. His place was the focal point for many 
of the old soldiers and other men in various fields of 
rndeuvor. It was an intelligence office in more respects 
than one. 

In this [)eriod the streets of the city were lighted with oil 
lamps so small and dim that one would almost be obliged 
to carrj' a lantern to find one of them. For many years 
John Dowey was the lamp-lighter, and a very busy man 
he was, too. He carried a ladder to reach the lamps and 
he is said to have displayed wonderful agility in ascending 
the la<lder, and rushed about his work with a regard for 
duty ('(jual to that of the early time night watchman. In 
the early fifties the old lam[)s were superseded by gas for 
stnH't illuminations, and Dowey continued his duties many 
years under the new system. 

FOURTH OF JULY 1838 

The most important public celebration after the war of 
the Revolution wjis always that of Independence Day, and 
some accidents often resulted from the too general use of 
"powder and rum." On July 4, 1838, a disaster occurred 
through the display of fire works that was remembered in 
the vicinity for many years. The apparatus for this 
exhibition was placed on a canal boat, crowded with men 
and boys, which was towed out into the canal basin just 
soutii of the State street bridge along Dock street. A 
"water rocket" after its discharge bounded into the boat 
and exploded a mass of fireworks that were being carried 
out for the display. A large number of persons were 
badly burned and three men lost their lives from bemg 
burn^ed. This was the most disastrous celebration m the 
historj' of the city, the only one approaching it bemg that 
of 1777. 



^30 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

In tlie latter part of ihc fifties of the last centun- the 
Civil "War cloiul gatherwl <leiise and dark over the northern 
country, the different elements or factions alij^ninj^ them- 
selves on the one side or the other and with each the senti- 
ment harbored was intense. Although Schenectady had 
many anti-war citizens an<l even those of a more unworthy 
name, yet when the strife finally broke into action both the 
city and tlie countrj' rallied to the defense of the Union. 
Many volunteers went from the city to the field of action, 
as has been told in detail in a previous chapter. 

The records show that at a s{)ecial meetinj^ held on 
August 1(), 18()'-2. the following action was taken: 

"ResoUcd, that we, the Sui)ervisors of I he County of 
Schenectady, will continue to pay to all volunteers enlist- 
ing in the companies now forming, or to be formed to fill 
up the quotas required by the (iovernment to be raised by 
this county, whether upon the first or second calls of the 
President for 300,000 meji upon each call, the sum of $50 
to each of such volunteers, in addition to the bounties 
already provided by the State and general governments." 

The action of the board in this matter, it further shows, 
had almost the unanimous endorsement of the country. 
The tabulated records further show that the little city of 
Schenectady tuid the county sent into the service 2110 
men. Besides, the city paid in bounties for soldiers to 
enter the service $230,321. 

Many sons of Schenectady won honor for themselves 
and their home city during this struggle to preserve the 
integrity of the Union. 

During these years too the city was yearly mulcted for a 
large sum to maintain the Capitol poUce. The assessment 
in 1867 amounted to $15,407.30. 



SCHENECTADY-ANCIENT AND MODERN 231 

SOME DRY GOODS HISTORY 

There is almost a connected history of the dry goods 
business form Andrew Mitchell, who began about 1765, 
down through Sidney B. Potter, John Ohlen & Company, 
Barringer Brothers and the H. S. Barney Company of 
today. 

Il<»\\ hind S. Barney entered the business in 1836, coming 
from Saratoga County. He was at first associated with 
Sidney B. I'otter. In 1848 he was with Ohlen & Company. 
Seven years later he i)urchased the interest of one of the 
Barringer Brothers and became an active partner in the 
business. Three years later, or in 1858, he acquired the 
interest of the other Barringer and became sole proprietor. 

Barney wa-s a keen merchant, active, j>rogressive with 
pood busiju'ss ability. In 1859 Henry Hager Swart who 
had been connected with the Barringer Brothers since 
1850. «>ntered into partnership with Mr. Barney under the 
firm name of H. S. Barney & Company. Swart was 
another good merchant and their combined ability rightly 
directtxl built up a successful dry goods business. By 
incorporation in 1903 it jissumed the present title of H. S. 
Barney Company. 

Mr.' Barney died Nov. 14, 1904, and Mr. Swart Nov. 12, 
1906. 

DR. JONATHAN PEARSON 

Dr. Jonathan Pearson, for many years a professor in 
Union College, lived nearly all his life in Schenectady. 
He was born in New Hampshire and with his parents 
settled in Schenectady when he was eighteen years of age. 

Dr. Pearson was a student by nature, a patient, pains- 
taking, untiring student in research work. He became a 
tutor in the College in 1835, and in 1839 was made pro- 



^232 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

fessor of chemistry aiul natural philosophy. Still later in 
1849 he was elected to the chair of natural histors' and in 
1873 had charge of the department of agriculture and 
botany. He was i)roficient in all tliese lines of college 
work, which indicated his learning and breadth of mind. 
Besides discharging with abilit>t. and thoroughness the 
duties of his profession, he devoted much labor in research 
ill the field of histoiy. In this latter Dr. Pearson rendered 
a service to the community and the state that was of 
almost unmeasurable value. His n'searc-h work along 
the Mohawk Valley, his history of the old families, and the 
history of the Schenectady Patent are memorials of a well 
dirt^cted life work. The public for all time to come will 
ow<' hiui a ilcl)t wliicii can be repaid only by honoring his 



DR. ANDREW TRUAX 

Dr. Audrew Truax, who, in an uno.stentatious way did 
much for the betterment of Schenectady, was born in the 
city in 1811. In 1830 he engaged as a clerk in Richard 
Fuller's drug store on State street and while serving in this 
capacity he studied medicine and received the doctor's 
degree. After this for a few years he engaged in the prac- 
tice of his i)rofession in the Hudson Valley. In 1835 he 
abandoned his j^ractice and returned to Schenectady, soon 
thereafter oi)ening a drug store on State .street. For a 
time Andrew T. Veeder was associated with Dr. Truax in 
the drug business. 

Dr. Truax was successful in business to an unusual 
degree. He was a man of simple habits, led a quiet life, 
honorable and upright in all ways. Meanwhile he was 
earnest and active in the interest of all good causes and the 
uplift of the community. He gave generously toward the 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 233 

huiMing and niaintenance of worthy public institutions 
ami was ccjually o\Kn\ hearted in rendering aid to deserving 
indi\iduals. He was a liberal supporter of the Young 
Men's Christian Association and was one of the chief 
founders and builders of the Old Ladies' Home. At his 
tieath Dr. Truax left this institution an endowment of 
$^20,000. In all respects he was a worthy and helpful 
eiti/A'U. 

HON. JUDSON S. LANDON 

Hon. .Imlson S. Landon was a resident of Schenectady 
fifty years, during which time he did his life work in his 
profession, held many important positions of responsibility, 
de\'oted time and thought to movements and measures 
for the advancement of the public welfare, and found time 
to make friends and enjoy their companionship. 

Judge Landon was born in Salisbury, Connecticut, in 
1831. He graduated from the Law College of Yale 
l'ni\ersity in 185(5, and the same year began the practice 
of his profession in Schenectady. He was an industrious 
hu\yer of unswervable integrity and ability to make head- 
way in his chosen work. 

in 1860, only four years after beginning practice. Judge 
landon was chosen a delegate to the Republican National 
Convention that named Abraham Lhicoln as its candidate 
for the presidency; and at this early stage in his profes- 
sional life, he was chosen district attorney of Schenectady 
county, then city attorney and afterwards county judge. 
He also served as a member of the Constitutional Conven- 
tion His most notable achievements, however, were as a 
jurist and author. His judicial service extended over a 
period of more than thirty years, twenty-eight o which he 
was a Justice on the Supreme Court bench, and for several 



«34 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

years an Jissociate Justice of the Court of Appeals. In 
both positions he won tlistinetion as an able, conscientious 
and well balanced jud^'e. While on the bench he wrote 
many important opinions that were accepted as sound and 
broadly impartial. For twenty-.seven years Judge Landon 
served on the l)oar<l of trustees of Union College and in 
this capacity he was a valuable, helj)ful factor in advancing 
the interests of the institution. 

Besides all these he was actively interested in city affairs 
and rendered willing' aid to its institutions and tlie various 
measures for the general gotxl. Judge Landon died in 1905 
re<rrctted bv all. 



CHAPTER XIII 

POLICE DEPARTMENT — FIRE DEPARTMENT — UTILITIES 



|IIE police department of a century ago was 
/^^'A^' <^«»iposed of eight night watchmen appointed 
^]$W h ^^y ^he common council. The duties of 

^^^^^y jj those conservators of the law, as told in a 
l)revious chapter, were multifarious and the 
rriimiicration for the same wholly incommensurate. Yet 
they appear to have been faithful and efficient. 

Ill IS.SO a high constahle was chosen who represented 
the entire city. He had supervision over the night watch- 
men and the ward constable. He was vested with the 
authority of a chief of the police. By an act of the legisla- 
ture of March. 184'-2, a police justice was chosen; and by 
another legislative act of March 31, 1848, the police justice, 
the justices of the peace and the high constable were chosen 
by vote, that is, they became elective offices. 

This system continued in operation until the legislative 
act which est.iblished the Capitol District police. This 
became effectiAC in 1867, and included Schenectady, 
together with other districts contiguous to Albany. This 
order of affairs was particularly noxious to Schenectady; 
it imi)osed burdens without compensating benefits. 
Besides, the law creating the system was procured without 
the consent and approval of the city, in consequence there 
was resentment and a determmed movement toward 
freedom again. During this regime the city established 
a police headquarters in a building on Wall street, the 
lower floor being occupied for policemen and the cells for 



•S6 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

prisoners, while tlic ui)|)er floor was the pohee court. 
Tliis continiKHl to be the police head(|uarters until 
William K. Teller, Esq., erected and presented to the city 
in ISSI the jjpescnt City Hall on Jay street. 

On .\pril 1."). ISTO, tlif ("ity of Schenectad.x' jjrocun-d a 
l<'<,fislati\e enact in<'nt authorizing it to or^'anizc and main- 
tain a nuinicipal police department, and from that time to 
tlu' present it has heen eidarued and improveil to meet the 
needs of the rajjidly ^rowin^ city. Isaac I^)vett w;is the 
first chief of i)()licc from May. isTO. to. Inly. 1S7'2. Charles 
H. Willard then stTved for a tVw months. William L. 
Campbell was then chief and scrve<l until vSeptember, 1904. 
He was succeede<l by James W. Rynex. the present chief. 

THK MODKUN IIHK DKl'.VHTMENT 

Takinjj; into account the manifold changes and the 
marvelous e\olution that has taken place in Schenectady, 
it has been a fortunate municipality so far as disastrous 
fires are concerned, since the unhaj)py one of 1819. For a 
period of nearly one hundred years no great conflagration 
has visitcxl the city, which con.stitutes a most umisual 
record. 

The fire department liatl its beginning in 1788 when the 
Justices of the peace formulated the rules and had super- 
vision over the little band of fire fighters. The crude 
engines were brought into use in 1797, and in 1798 two 
companies were formed with two fire inspectors in each 
ward. In 1813 the city charter was amended so that a 
maximum of eighty able-bodied men comprised the Fire- 
men of the City of Schenectady. In 1815 there were four 
fire companies in the City besides the hook and ladder 
company and the axmen. 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 237 

In IS^o five firv wardens were appointed by the common 
council who had charf^'c of the different fire districts in the 
city. The fire (k'partment was incorporated in 1828 with 
an organization liaving a president, a treasurer, and a 
collector. The first hose company was formed in 1830 and 
six yciirs later the first suction engine was added to the 
department. The first chief engineer was Richard F. 
Ward. Following this in 1862 all the companies were 
incorporate*! in one body, and the first steam fire engine 
Wius purchase*! in 1805. 

In 1872 the department went through another reorgani- 
ziitit)n, when it wnii greatly enlarged and extended. 
During tlie l;ist twenty-five years the expansion of the fire 
department, like that of the city, has been rapid and sub- 
.stiintial. The e(iuipment comprises the most up-to-date 
apparatus employeil in any city, including all the latest 
electrical auxiliaries that make it a recognized part of the 
Electrical City. 

THE SCHENECTADY WATER WORKS 

Schenectady's effort to obtain a wholesome water supply 
was a struggle almost as desperately fought as was that to 
gain nuinicipal independence. In trying out the various 
propositions presented to secure an adequate supply, the 
city expended a large sura of money and meanwhile much 
malaria and tjT»hoid fever germs resulted. 

As far back as 1799 there was a movement in the direc- 
tion of est^iblishing a water system, but it seems never to 
have reached the point of the execution of the scheme. 
That vear the common council granted to Henry R. 
Teller, Richard Rosa and Remsen R. Teller a franchise to 
supply the city with water from springs, yet these men 
never began the proposed water works. It was 1836 



^38 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

before any effective action was taken to procure a supply 
of water. Jahez Ward then estiiblished a small plant, the 
source of supply being a spring at the foot of the hill at 
Vedder avenue. It was conducteti into town by means of 
wooden logs and the gravity system. The logs were laid 
in State street west to Washington avenue, Ferry, Union 
and Front streets an<l a limited suj)ply of water was thus 
obtained, and the income to the builder of the plant seems 
to have been (juite iis limite<l lus was the water for he 
abandoned the enterprise in a little time. 

The next attempt was in 1872 when Senator Charles 
Stanford organized a company to take water from the 
Mohawk river. The Holly system was installed and a 
power house was built at the foot of Front .street. The 
supf)ly of water was ample, while it carried typhoid germs 
and death to everv section of the town. The southern 
section along the low lands was also rei'king with disease. 
In this condition of affairs the city .secured control of the 
plant and at once took steps to procure a proj)er water 
supply. Many sources were investigated, Sander's lake. 
Van Slyck's island, and others. Finally attention was 
directed to the springs in the foot hills in Rotterdam. 
Here an adequate supply of the most wholesome water 
was obtained and a municipal water plant was established. 
No munici|)ality has better water than Schenectady now 
has, and the general health conditions in consequence are 
excellent. The system has cost the city approximately 
one million dollars. 

THE MOHAWK GAS COMPANY 

The first movement toward establishing a gas manu- 
facturing plant in Schenectady was undertaken by capital- 
ists not citizens of the municipality. These men seem to 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 239 

have constructtxi the works and operated them for a time, 
hut as to the facts of their success in the venture, the 
rtHords do not say. 

At any rate tliese builders soon sold the plant to Abell 
Smith and James R. Craig, who it appears failed to achieve 
any great degree of success, for a little later it was sold at 
public auction, Gershom Banker being the purchaser, 
lie carric<l on the l)usiness until 1872, at which time 
( harles Stanford and William Van \Tanken secured a two- 
t birds interest in the property. A company was organized 
with a capital of $100,000. The company has passed 
through many trying vicissitudes and fallen into many 
hands, finally becoming a substantial, and profitable 
proposition. .Vlthough it maintains its identity as a com- 
pany, it is now connecteil with and is a part of the Schenec- 
tady Illuminating Company, which is housed in handsome 
tpiartcrs at the corner of State and Barrett streets. 

THE ELEtTRIC LIGHT OK ILLUMINATING COMPANY 

The Westinghouse Illuminating Company was incor- 
{)<>ratcd June .'J, 188(5, and during its early years had even 
a more fitful canvr than did the gas company. Electricity 
being then almost an unknown element or force the 
problem of supplying light was a difficult one to solve, 
and so the Westinghouse Illuminating Company met with 
many obstacles, the gas and kerosene being the most 
formidable. The original company passed through a 
receiver's hands and several reorganizations before it 
cmergixi from days of uncertainty to a period of stability 
and sustaining business. 

The first power plant for the generating of electricity 
N\ a> located in Erie street, in the rear of the Mohawk Bank 
building on State street. The plant was small then and 



£40 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

the ])atronage was of an equal ratio. The business grew 
gradually, however, until two years later a new and greater 
power i)lant was established on Dock street. It was at 
this time that the twenty-four hour service began. It was 
some time before the company estal)lishcd an office for the 
transportation of its business. Bills were {)aid at the 
insurance ofhce of Atwell & Dennington where all l)usiness 
of the company Wius transacted. 

On Ajjril 15, lHih2, the name of the company was changed 
to that of Schenectady Illuminating Company, as at 
present, it having been taken over by the Edison Company 
which also owned the Schenectady Street Railway Com- 
pany. In 1893 both companies together passed into the 
hands of a receiver. By the year 1898, however, the 
business of the comjjany had l>een so increased as to place 
it on a sound and profitable basis. With the growth and 
exi)ansion of the city and its business the Illuminating 
Comi)any's scope and territory has also increased imtil at 
present it is one of the successful institutions of th<' city. 

THE SCHENECTADY STREET R. R. COMPANY 

The Schenectady street railway system came into exist- 
ence in a most auspicious period, or under favorable 
conditions. Schenectady, it must be admitted, was a 
laggard in the matter of street car service. Horse drawn 
cars had been in service for many years in cities of similar 
size. In fact, the era of horse-power propelled cars was 
rapidly approaching its end when the first street car service 
came into operation in 1887. Schenectady at that time 
had about 19,000 population. 

The Schenectady Street Railway Company was organ- 
ized on February 25, 1886, with the following named men 
comprising the company: John D. Haines, Charles D. 



A 



h^ 



- y^^^iwjy ^ 

THE REV. J. TRUMBULL BACKUS, D.D., LL.D. 
Forty years pastor of the First Presbyterian Church 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 241 

Haines, Alfred A. Morris, James S. Morris, Clarence 
Fancher, William D. Nash, Norman J. Morris. Henry A. 
Stevens, Horace W. Tefft and Edward P. Morrison, 
Charles S. Haines was the president of the company, 
Davis S.Haines, vice-president and John D. Haines, secre- 
tary and treasurer. 

Altliough the construction of the Unes was soon begun 
the first line was not completed and opened for traffic until 
July 16, 1887. This consisted of a single track horse-car 
line running from the Mohawk bridge east on State street 
to the Hraiidywine, a distance of about two miles. The 
ecjuipinent of the company consisted of thirty horses, five 
cars and four sleighs. 

'I'iie road contimied to be operated by horse-power until 
July, 1891, when the motive power was changed to that 
of electricity'. There had been very little movement in the 
direction of extending the line meanwhile, in fact, very 
little expansion of the system took place until after 1900. 

The property and franchise of this company were sold 
on foreclosure January 31, 1895, and the Schenectady Rail- 
way Company was organized on February 11 following. 
This latter organization was composed of the following: 
Philip Ferdinand Kobbe, William Henry White, Charles 
Bachelor, Arthur R. Perry, Luengo C. Carnana, Frank A. 
Dillingham, Edward Henry Bruse, Thomas A. Quillin, 
Thomas F. Brothers, John W. Houston, Paul D. Crawath, 
Harvey Romer, Frank L. Townsend, Williard A. Essel- 
tein and James F. Reeve. William Henry White was 
chosen president, Geo. W. Jones, vice-president, William 
A. Esseltein, secretary, and J. P. Ard, treasurer. The 
system is still owned and operated by the company. 

The real development and extension of the lines began 
in 1901 and has continued with great energy until now 



242 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

Schenectady is a center of great and successful electric 
trolley lines. At present there is the line to Albany, to 
Troy, Saratoga, (ilens Falls, and Amsterdam and Glen- 
ville. The various lines are well constructed, well equipped 
and efficiently managed. The lines now also reach every 
imj)ortant section of the city. 

HON. CHARLES STANFORD 

For a period of more than thirty years Hon. ('harles 
Stanford was one of the most active leaders in public 
improvements, in establishing public utilities and in the 
political affairs in Schenectady and the state. He was a 
progressive, constructive citizen during the period when 
general advancement in upbuilding in the city was lagging. 

Mr. Stanford was born in Albany County in 1819 but 
during most of liis business life was identified with Schenec- 
tady. He i^romotetl the gas works, established the water 
works comj)any, and as early as 1865 began the publication 
of the Daily Union. Besides, he was one of the active 
factors in the McQueen Locomotive Works in the city. 
He was also identified with other enterprises that con- 
tributed to Schenectady's betterment. 

In 1864. and 1865 Mr. Stanford represented the County 
in the Assembly and from 1866 to 1869 he served as State 
Senator. He was a man of ability and courage, and while 
a member of tlie State Senate took a leading part in the 
affairs coming before that body. Mr. Stanford died in 
August, 1885. 

NICHOLAS I. SCHERMERHORN 

For a long period of years Nicholas I. Schermerhorn was 
one of the active and industrious business men of Schenec- 
tady. He was a farmer of great scope and extent of pro- 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN «4S 

duct, was the most extensive broom corn producer and 
broom manufacturer in the Mohawk Valley. In this 
latter industry' Mr. Schermerhorn was the recognized 
leader in the days when it was a business of nation-wide 
fame. His product, like that of others, was sold every- 
where. 

Mr. Schermerhorn was born in the town of Duanesburg, 
March "^O, 1818. In 1824 the family moved to Rotterdam, 
a little soutli west of the city where they acquired a vast 
area of valuable flat lands. It was upon this land that 
Nicholas I. Schermerhorn produced the great broom corn 
crops so profitable at that time. When the broom corn 
industrj' began to wane by reason of the development of 
the great western lands, Mr. Schermerhorn reached out 
into other lines of business. As early as 1865 he engaged 
in the coal business in the city, purchasing at that time the 
plant and business of Vandebogert Brothers, associating 
with him in the business his son-in-law, Mr. H. McClyman. 
In 1S74 .Mr. McClyman retired from the firm and the son, 
William (i. Schermerhorn, became a partner with his 
father. This business was later extended to the hay, feed 
and the milling business, Mr. Schermerhorn having pur- 
chased a flouring mill in Rotterdam and another in the 
city. Meanwhile in 1870 he had become a resident of 
Schenectady, where he continued to live until his death. 

Mr. Schermerhorn, in association with Harmon Van 
Slyck and Samuel Donaldson of Fultonville, constructed 
the Duanesburg Railroad, the line being completed within 
two years from date of making the contract. The Schenec- 
tady Car works was another enterprise in which he was 
directly interested, also the Schenectady Knitting Mills, 
or the Brandywine Mills. He served as president of this 
latter company. Besides these Mr. Schermerhorn was for 



'244 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

many years a director in the Schenectady Bank, and served 
as a trustee of the Schenectady Saving's Bank, and of the 
Young Men's Christian Association. In addition he 
served as supervisor two terms, was county superintendent 
of the poor three terms and county treasurer from 1876 
to 188!2. With these many interests and responsibiHties, 
Mr. Schermerhorn still found time to devote to measures 
and movements for the advancement of Schenectady. 
He was active and strong in the days when Schenectady 
nee<ied strong men. 

ABKAII.VM A. VAN VOAST 

For more than sixty years Abraham \. Van Voa.st was 
one of the active and prominent figures in the business and 
social life of Schenectady. He was born on a farm in 
Glenville, Nov. 28, 1806, where he lived and obtained all 
the education he had, until he was seventeen years of age. 
At this time he concluded to fall into business lines rather 
than continue on the farm. He took a clerkship in a 
general store in Schenectady where he continued until 
he became twenty-one. His father was a Dutchman, a 
thrifty well-to-do farmer and his mother was of Scotch 
blood, the daughter of Jacob Wallace, Esq. 

In 1823 Mr. Van Voast, in company with Henry Peck, 
established a hardware business under the firm name of 
Peck & Van A'oast. Twelve years later Mr. Van \"oast 
purchased the interest of his partner and continued the 
business until 1853. During thirty years in this line of 
trade he was successful because he was industrious, 
energetic, and, above all, honorable and upright. For 
four or five years following his retirement from the hard- 
ware business he held some official position with the New 
York Central railroad, after which he returned to the 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN "245 

mercantile line. The firm of Van Voast, Vedder & Co., 
was formed to carry on the lumber business, which was 
successful and profitable. Mr. Van Voast continued in 
the firm until 1874, at which time he retired. 

During these years, however, he was actively identified 
with many other institutions and enterprises, also public 
affairs. He was keenly interested in Schenectady and its 
welfare, renderin';; valuable service both as an individual 
and in an official capacity. As early as 1850 he served 
on the board of aldermen, and in the same year was elected 
mayor, and served two years, was elected again in 1869, 
and again in 1882, thus serving six years as the city's 
executive. 

In 1845 Mr. Vim Voast was chosen as a director of the 
Schenectiidy Bank, was elected its vice-president in 1862 
and president in 1875, upon the death of Mr. Jay Cady. 
He was also for more than fifty years a vestryman of St. 
George's church. He lived a long, busy and useful life 
witli iiHuh good done along the way. 

D. CADY SMITH 

The career of Daniel Cady Smith in some respects was 
remarkable. For a period of seventy years he was an 
active, influential force in the afl^airs of Schenectady. He 
continued in the forefront of affairs until past ninety years 
of age iind almost up to the close of his life his interest in 
business matters was keen and his mentability strong and 

active. 

Mr. Smith was born in Akin, a small settlement m 
Montgomery county, August 23, 1813. His father, 
George Smith, was a Scotchman who some time before 
1786 landed in Philadelphia where he took the oath of 
allegiance and became a citizen of the United States. 



246 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

His naturalization papers wore dated October 4th, 1876. 
Some time after this date Mr. Smith located in the 
Mohawk ^'alley. He early purchased Port Johnson, 
situated a little out of Amsterdam, which had been erected 
by Sir William Johnson. Mr. Smith, the senior, was a 
merchant or trader with a store at Port Johnson and 
another at Port Jackson. Here he marrie<l Sarah Cady, 
daiij^hter of Gen. Cady, who was the representative of 
extensive Scotch and English interests in that section of 
the countrA'. 

D. Cady attended the Ilartwick Seminary md in 1833 
graduated from the Troy Polytechnic Inslitutx', Ix'iiig one 
of the earliest graduates of that institution. 

Mr. Smith was twenty-one. He settled in Schenectady, 
becoming a law .student in the office of Alonzo C. Paige and 
Piatt Potter, who were partners at that lime. After being 
admitted to |)ractice he entered into partnership with 
Judge F. P. Mitchell and a few years later was associated 
with Judge S. \Y. Jackson, under the firm name of Smith & 
Jackson. In addition to his professional work betwtnm 
1840 and 1850 he edited the Reflector, the leading weekly 
paper in the city at that time. During the.se years he 
served also as surrogate of the county. Up to this period 
surrogates were appointed by the Governor and Mr. 
Smith served to the time the oflBce became an elective one. 

Mr. Smith's business interests became more extensive 
than his law practice. He was a keen, able business man 
and thus early became a factor in the financial affairs of 
Schenectady. He served for many years as a trustee of 
the Schenectady Savings Bank and in 1876 was chosen its 
president, and continued at its head until his death. He 
also financed the Schenectady bank through some hard 
places and built it up into a sound and prosperous institu- 



SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN ^247 

lion. He was a safe counsellor in business matters as 
well as in law. On account of these (jualities he was 
entrusted with the settlement of many estates. 

Mr. Smith married Eleanor F. Carley, daughter of 
(ierardus Carley, of the old shipping firm of DeGraff, 
Walton & Carley. They had two sons and two daughters. 
The sons are Gerardus and Everett, both now living. 



CADWALLADER C. CLUTE 

Cadwallader C. Clute for more than thirty years was one 
of the active forces in making of the Clute foundry and 
machine shop one of the chief industries of the city. He 
was born in Schenectady, October 18, 1814, and as early 
as 18S5 became associated with his father, P. I. Clute in 
the foundry business. This institution was established in 
tlie early years of the nineteenth century. 

C. C." Clute for a little time withdrew from his foundry 
connection and engaged as a hardware merchant and rail- 
road builder, having a large contract for the construction 
of the Western Railroad. In 1842, however, Mr. Clute 
returned to the foundry business in Schenectady, purchas- 
ijig the interest of Joel C. Bailey in the firm of Clute & 
Bailev, at which time the firm became P. I. Clute & Sons. 
In 1849 the senior Clute retired from the firm and from 
that time on for thirty years it was continued as Clute 
Brothers It became a famous foundry and machme shop 
and was during those years one of the industrial mam- 
stays of Schenectady. . 

C C Clute was also interested in the Westmghouse 
Conipany in its early days. He was also one of the strong 
and active directorsof the Mohawk Bank and so eontmued 
until his death on August 16, 1876. Mr. Clute had for 



248 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

many years taken a deep interest in the Home of the 
Friendless and has worked earnestly to establish it firmly. 
At his death he left to it a bequest of $6,000. 

JOHN ELLIS 

John Ellis, a shrewd, enerj^etic-, clear-headed Scotchman, 
came to the rnited States in 18.S1. He was horn in Yar- 
mouth, Scotland, December 13, 1795. He was a mechanic 
with a clear vision and a goodly stock of courage and 
ability. He became associated with the Norris Brothers 
when they started the locomotive manufacturing industry 
in Schenectady in 1851. Mr. Ellis was the mechanical 
director of the plant, but for some reason the little industry 
soon reached a crisis and the Norisses were anxious to dis- 
pose of the wreck. ISlr. Ellis was discerning enough to 
foresee the possibilities for a succ-essful business and pos- 
sessed the strength and influence to interest local capital 
in the enterprise. Daniel D. Campbell, Simon C. Groot 
and Sebastian Bradt then joined I\Ir. Ellis in the purchase 
of the plant. The Schenectady Locomotive Works was 
incorjjorated with a capital of $130,000. John Ellis was the 
potential figure, the constructive force from the beginning 
until his death October 4, 1864. 

In a few years after the organization of the company Mr. 
Ellis purchased the stock of his associates in the business 
and from that time on it was distinctively an Ellis enter- 
prise. The business increased to great magnitude while 
the profits grew in like manner. After Mr. Ellis' death, his 
son John C, succeeded him as president. In the mean- 
while Walter McQueen, a master mechanic, a man of the 
type of the original John Ellis, gave his talent and energy 
to the development of the business. McQueen, like the 
first John Ellis, was progressive and courageous in busi- 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 249 

ness. Under the control of Ellis and McQueen the 
Schencc-tiid;\- Ix)conioti\e Works became one of the greatest 
of its kind in the coinitry. McQueen on account of dis- 
agreements with Mr. Ellis, however, withdrew from the 
company, leaving the latter in full command of the busi- 
ness, although he continued as vice-president from 1876 
until his death in 1893. 

John Ellis, had he lived, no doubt would have carried 
into effec-t his consuming ambition; that is not only to 
build engines but also the cars, the coaches, to go along 
with them. With his force and business acumen, com- 
bined with that of \\'alter McQueen, Schenectady probably 
would ha\e been the center of the greatest engine and car 
building industry in the world. As it was, they founded a 
great industry that has contributed in a large degree to the 
upbuilding and the .stability of Schenectady. 

Upon the death of John Ellis in 1864, John C. Ellis, the 
oldest son became president of the Locomotive Works,, and 
continued until 1878. In the meanwhile the business 
increased and prospered in great measure. John C. was 
born in Schenectady and married Jane A. Schermerhorn, 
also of Schenectady. John C. Ellis died in Schenectady 
in 1884. In 1878 lie was succeeded in the presidency of 
the company by Uharles G. Ellis his brother, who occupied 
the position until his death. Edward Ellis succeeded 
Charles G. as president of the Locomotive Works and con- 
tinued as its executive until the plant was merged with the 
American Locomotive Company in 1901. 

The ElUses were not only successful business men, 
building and carrying on an establishment which for many 
years was the main commercial sinew of the city, but they 
were helpful by their generosity and public spirit. They 



250 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

aided many inovenients for tlie city's betterment and con- 
tributed to the maintenance of worthy institutions. 

THE SPAMsn-AMKKK AN WAR 

Schenectady's historj"^ from tlie beginning has been 
accentuated liy fighting, war and miHtary activity, all 
of which has heretofore been set forth with due and 
proper detail. To complete this phase of it to date, how- 
ever, there is still one more record of a call to arms that 
deserves mention. It is that of the Si)anish-American 
War of 1898. 

Although the call for volunteers was limited as to num- 
ber and the term of .service was brief, yet there were two 
companies responded from Schenectady at the outbreak 
of the trouble. Companies E. and F. were mustered into 
the Second New York Regiment Volunteer Infantry on 
May 10, 1898. The Fifteenth Battalion, of which these 
two comjjanies were a part, was in command of Major 
Austin A. Yates, of Schenectady. On the 18th of May the 
regiment proceeded to Chickamauga, Ga., from which 
j)oint it was transferred to Tampa, Florida. For one 
reason or another, the chief one being that the regiment 
was not required in Cuba, orders were issued on August 24 
following releasing the regiment from further service and 
directing that it be sent to Troy, N. Y. On the 31st of 
October, Companies E. and F. were mustered out and 
returned to their homes. 

VALE CEMETERY 

In the early part of the second half of the last century the 
old Dutch burying ground on Green and Front streets, 
instead of being a silent city of some grace and natural 
attraction, was an unsightly, unkempt place that caused 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 251 

actions to be taken in the direction of securing a new, 
larger and better ai)pointed cemeter>' farther removed from 
tlie center of the city. A cemetery association was then 
formed by Edward Rosa, Esq., and land was purchased on 
the elevation eastward beyond the populated limit of the 
town In 1857 the new Vale Cemetery was opened and 
the remains resting in Lhe Green street burial ground were 
.'athered up and interred in the new ground. 
" l^he sj)ot where Vale Cemetery is located had many 
Mitural attractions and many more have been added by 
the art of landscape improvements. The old Cowhorn 
creek whic-h has its source in the cemetery grounds affords 
a water supplv for miniature lakes an<l in its windmg 
beautifies the groun<ls. It is at present a very handsome, 

Nvell arranged cemetery. , • • ^ +• ion? 

During Mayor Jacob W. Clute's admmis ra ion, 1907- 
08 the bronze tablets were erected at several places in the 
s <.tion of the city which comprised the original Schenec^ 
fulv These tablets commemorate important events and 
he" deaths bv killing that occurred at these points in the 
!!;„ of ioOO. They present some interesting yet sad 
chapters in Schenectady's early history. 

SOME ANCIENT HOUSES 

One of the oldest houses standing in the State of New 
Y.^k is undoubtedly the Mabie house on the sou h side of 
\orki^unuo J distance westward from the 

tl.e Mohawk ^^-^^^^^'^^ ^^^,,^ this dwelling was 
city. As near as - be ascert. ^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ 

erected soon after 1670. It h ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ .^^ 

during the neariy ^^^^^^ ,^ ^,,, .landing and in 

existence, e the on i P ^^^^^^^^^^^ An lUus- 

Tiirrheriige^^^^^^^^ 



252 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

The Glen-Sanders mansion on the north bank of the 
river in Scotia opposite the city is now more than two 
hinuired years old. It is a remarkable structure with an 
interesting history^ and association that make it one of the 
famous places of the United States. It was builded for a 
home and a fortress, because a home in that exposed sec- 
tion tw o hundred years ago must needs be an arsenal and a 
secure asylum in times of attack. 

The residence is shown in the illustration j)rinted else- 
where in this volume. A few rods to the left of this man- 
sion and nearer the bank of the river was erected in 1658 
the first residence of Alexander Lindsay (ilen. This was 
torn down in 1713 and a j)art of the material was used in 
the construction of the present house. At the left of this, 
too, upon the high ground between the present mansion 
and the river, was the place where the Indians repaired 
after returning from expeditions of plunder and warfare, 
to sacrifice their war victims by burning. The Glen- 
Sanders mansion is a substantial, almost impregnable 
structure, and bears the scars of many acts of violence and 
attacks in the early days. 

The Yates house erected on Union street somewhere 
between 1720 and 1730 was another dwelling of much 
interest and historical value. It was erected by Abram 
Yates, whose home it was in turbulent times. 

The house now standing on Front street now owned and 
occupied by Alonzo P. Walton Esq., was the birth-place 
of the Hon. Joseph C. Yates who was born in 1768. The 
house has since been enlarged but the style of its architec- 
ture is still visible. 

Another ancient place a little distance outside the city 
which is said to be nearly as ancient as the Mabie house is 
that erected at Ael Place in 1693 by Jonathan Stevens. 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 253 

Stevens was one of the early settlers and one of the free- 
holders. On July 24, 1693, he married Leah Van Slyck 
Coppernal, the half-breed Indian woman. She was a 
sister of Jacfjues Van Slyck, and was then a widow. 

Jonathan Stevens owned several hundred acres of land 
alon^ the river and also owned property in Schenectady. 
Although the house has been greatly enlarged, the original 
j)art of the Stevens house is still standing. It was from 
Jonathan Stevens that all those bearing that name in the 
M ohawk Valley have descended. Some of the descendants 
are now living in Schenectady. 

SOME fHANGES THAT THE LAST SIXTY YEARS HAVE WROUGHT 

The two decades between 1820 and 1840 produced some 
important changes in Schenectady in its business lines; 
and at the expinition of these twenty years the city had 
scarcely recovered from the disaster of 1819. 

By this time Washington avenue had been abandoned 
as a business thoroughfare, many of the blackened ruins 
still standing as memorials to the great and grievous losses. 
The centre of trade was thoroughly established on State 
strt^et, which was then well built up from Washmgton 
avenue eastward to the Erie Canal. The Mohawk and 
Hudson railroad hat! found its way to the center of the city 
and an attractive depot had been erected upon the site 
of the present station. This attracted business still 
farther eastward so that by 1845 State street was com- 
pletelv built up to the railroad. The famous Givens hotel 
was the final building on the north side of the street adjom- 
ing the railroad depot. 

It was after 1850, however, before the active buildmg 
up of State street east of the railroad began. About this 
time the Drullard house was erected immediately across 



254 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

the railroad trucks oast of tlie depot and the Givens hotel. 
In the fifties the business extended to Centre street, and 
tlie latter street soon became an important business 
thoroughfare. 

At tlie northeast corner of State and Centre streets 
was erected in the late fifties the Farmer's hotel. It 
fronted on State street and in the rear on Centre street 
was a large yard with ample barns and sheds to accommo- 
date the incoming farmers. The Mohawk and Hudson 
cars up to nearly 1S.)() reached State street from Prospect 
Hill on a long trestle through the low lands of that section. 
This was gradually filled up with sand and gravel and 
became a firm and sub.stantial road-bed. 

In the fifties State street from Washington avenue to the 
Canal was paved with cobblestones obtained on the 
outlying farms, while the sidewalks were brick. The first 
stone flag-walk six feet wide and one hundred feet in 
length was put down in front of the McCamus proj)erty 
on the north side of State street a little west of the canal. 
This began the era of stone sidewalks, many others soon 
being laid along this and other streets. 

During these years many of the emigrants bound west- 
ward went by canal to Buffalo and so from necessity had to 
ship from Sclienectady. This mode of travel was con- 
tinued long after the railroad was completed and running 
to Lake Erie. 

The north side of State street built up much more 
rapidly than did the south side, the larger .stores and hotels 
locating on that side. Harrj^ Davis was the first to erect 
a dwelling on the south side of State street only a little 
distance from the railroad. It was quite a pretentious 
residence and continued as such until converted into a 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 255 

business block. Mr. Davis ran the Givens Hotel for a 
considerable nunil)er of years. 

Between 1850 and 18()() Mr. McQueen erected two or 
three business buildings of wood construction on the north 
side of the street a little east of the Farmers' hotel. Some 
years later ^^'hiteside^s Temperance House w as built still 
farther east at the corner of State and Liberty streets. 
It was at one time kept by Anthony Hall. 

In the latter part of the fifties three or four citizens 
joined together and erected a large building at the north- 
west corner of State and Jay streets. The second floor was 
used as a public hall. It was known as Union Hall. Up 
to tliis time there was only one public hall in the city, and 
that ^\as situated also on State street west of the Erie 
Canal. 

North of Stiite street, about at the intersection of the 
present Liberty and Lafayette streets, there was a large 
tannery- . Liberty street at that time extended no further 
eastwarti than Lafayette. The great stretch of upland 
beyond this was open country. The Cowhorn creek 
courses down through this section and it was upon this 
stream the tiuinery was located. North of this tannery 
and extendijig through to Union street was a brickyard 
run by tlie Barkers. The present beautiful Vale cemetery 
iji this locality was pasture land. Dr. Nott first conceived 
the idea of a cemetery and induced citizens to acquire the 
property for the purpose. This was done in 1853. 

MRS. URIANA NOTT 

Among the earnest and effective workers in the cause of 
charity, christian uplift and civic improvement, Mrs. 
Uriana Sheldon Nott was ever in the forefront. She was 
the wife of Dr. Nott, and at the same time his close com- 



256 sen ENECfADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

panion and helpor in his many lines of endeavor. She 
was ahvays in harmony with his various efforts and under- 
taking's and devoted her time and superior talents toward 
the achievement of the wonderful success in his life work. 
Mrs. Nott acted for many years as Dr. Nott's j)rivate 
secretary, and was therefore familiar with all his aims, 
objects and accomplishments. 

Mrs. Nott was a woman of high order of mentality. 
She was well «<iu( at<<l and had had an extended exj>erienee 
and training,' as a teacher in the then famous Miss Piatt's 
school at rtica, N. Y. Thus she was well e(juippetl to 
take uj) the work in S<-henecta<iy to which she devoted 
many years, and like her hushand left the impress of her 
life and cliaracter upon the comnumity she lo\ed and 
served. 

Mrs. Nott did not confine her activities to the college 
affairs; she was as <'arn<'st and lielptiil in other fields of 
fjot)«l works. She was a leader in the I>jidies' Benevolent 
Society and devoted ener^', thought, sympathy and 
money to the relief of all the distressed. She was also a 
worker in home and foreign missions and did efficient 
service. She was broad in mind and therefore broa<l in her 
scope of doing good. She was called the "Mother in 
Israel" of the entirt^ city. Mrs. Nott died April 13, 1886, 
regretted by the entire city. 

PROFESSOR TAYLOR LEWIS 

.\lmost from its beginning Union College has enlisted 
in its faculty men of unusual fibre, .strong of character and 
conspicuous as educators. These men have created an 
atmosphere which completely enveloped the town with 
its uplifting and refining influence. Their influence and 
names have not been confined to their college town, but 






MRS. UKIANA SHELDON NOTT 

Foremost in all good works 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 257 

many of them have had national and world-wide reputa- 
tions. 

Professor Taylor I^wis was one of the very distinguished 
scholars of his time, an educator of the type that helped to 
develop character and inspire young men with an ambition 
which attains merit. His force and influence were mental, 
not physical, because he was of spare physique and not 
notably robust in health. As a teacher of Greek and 
Oriental Biblical Literature Prof. Lewis was recognized as 
one of the foremost in the country. He was a student all 
his life. 

l*rof. Lewis was born at Northumberland, Saratoga 
county, March 17, 1802, and graduated at Union College 
in IS^O. He then prepared for the law and practiced that 
I)rofession for a time. This vocation was not congenial, 
however, and he soon became a teacher, becoming principal 
of the Waterford Academy. In the meanwhile he began 
the study of the Hebrew language and became master of 
this as he was of the Greek and Latin. His research work 
was not confined to these, he was a profound scholar, a 
man of broad learning in various lines, always serious and 
assiduous in his labor. The student whose course in 
college brought him under Prof. Lewis was a fortunate 
young man. The instruction he received together with 
the character of the man left an impress that strengthened 
many graduates for their life work. 

For more than thirty years Prof. Lewis was identified 
with Union College and the college town, yet he never 
became conspicuous personally. He chose rather the 
seclusion of the student, exerting his influence m the class- 
room and with his pen in various fields of thought and 
endeavor. As a writer he was no less forceful than as an 
educator. He was the author of several works along 



2.)8 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

historical linos that won the recognition of the best people 
of the nation. The stain j) of his life and influence have 
not to this (lay been effaced. 

PHOF. 1S.\AC \V. JACKKON 

Prof. Isaac W. Jackson, while an earnest, zealous 
student, was a different type from Prof. Ix'wis. His 
interests and acti\ities in the collej^e were of somewhat 
broader scope, yet, he was probably as conspicuous and as 
influential in the life and upbuilding of the college. 

Prof. Jack.son was born at Cornwall, Orange county, 
N. Y., Augu.st 18, 1804, prepared for college at the Albany 
Academy and graduated at Union College in the class of 
]H'2(). As a student he distinguished himself in so great 
a degree that uj)on his graduation he was at once mimed 
a tutor in the college. While he was notably proficient in 
the classics, he won his early honor in mathematics, and 
chemi.stry. 

In 18,S1, when only twenty-seven years of age. Prof. 
Jackson was made professor of mathematics in the College 
and in this field of work, as well as in other lines, he won 
honor and place among the great educators of the country. 
In mathematics he became an acknowledged authority and 
master. His published works along this line were adopted 
by the higher educational institutions throughout the 
country. In horticulture and kindred subjects he was as 
deeply interested and as comi)lete a master of the art. 

In both college work and college life. Prof. Jackson 
always was active while his influence and his work in 
education and character building were attested by the 
many graduates who came in close touch with him during 
their college course. 

But Prof. Jackson did many other useful things than 



SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 259 

that of teaching. He was in accord with Dr. Nott in all 
the various means of building up the college and beautify- 
ing the grounds. In this latter his aid was invaluable. 
He was a natural landscape gardener, a horticulturist and 
an artist, therefore, it was largely due to him that the great 
campus was given grace and beauty. They bear the stamp 
of his mark today. For more than fifty years Prof. Jack- 
son <levoted his intellect, energy and ability to the upbuild- 
ing of I'nion. 

PROF. .lOHN FOSTER 

Professor John Foster also had a long and singularly 
useful career in connection with Union College. He, too, 
was a man of rare attainments, of great versatility as a 
teacher and strong in character. 

Prof. Foster graduated at Union in the class of 1835 and 
afterwards taught for a time in the then famous Fairfield 
Seminary, where his work comprised almost every branch 
covered by the seminary curriculum. In 1836 he was 
appointed tutor in Union and was placed in charge of the 
West College where the two lower classes were housed. 
From this time on until his death, with the exception of 
one year, 1837, spent as teacher at the North Pearl Street 
Academy, Prof. Foster's life work was done in Union College. 
In 1838 he resumed his former position at West College 
where he taught algebra, geometry, trigonometry, conic 
sections, also Greek and Latin. In 1840 he was appointed 
adjunct professor of natural philosophy and also continued 
to instruct in mechanics. Meanwhile he delivered lectures 
on electricity and cognate subjects. As a lecturer along 
these lines Prof. Foster was regarded as one of the ablest 
and most forceful among educators. These lectures 
became textbooks which were used in the college durmg 



200 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

many years. He aftenvards taught surveying and astron- 
omy, and in 1845 organized the department of civil 
engineering. Prof. WiUiani M. Gillespie was appointed 
the first liead of this department. 

Prof. Foster laliored incessantly to strengthen all these 
various departments, raising funds by subscriptions from 
the alunmi and other ways for the purpose of added equip- 
ment. He spent a long life devoted to higher education, 
higher .standartls of scholarship, and to the making men of 
those who liad his instruction and influence. 




CHAPTER XIV 

INSTITUTIONS — INDUSTRIES — THE NEW BAPTISM 

|CHENECTADY'S history, covering a span of 
two hundred and fifty-three years, has 
fallen apart into four notable eras or epochs. 
The first epoch comprised the years between 
l(l()l and the burning and massacre of 1690. 
The second epoch marked the time from the above date 
to the great disaster and loss of ship commerce by the fire 
of 181 J) and the commg of the Erie Canal in 1825. The 
third era began here and continued through the long 
period of letharg>' to the time of the new awakening in the 
eighties of the last century, and the fourth epoch, the most 
notable of all, had its beginning at this time. This fourth 
era brought new life and energy and revitalized the city. 

Another interesting phase of the history is that Schenec- 
tady during its existence has lived under four difl'erent 
flags; that is to say, the Dutch flag from its founding until 
1664- the British flag from this date to the raising of the 
flag of the United States, except that one fateful day in 
1690 when the French had possession of the town and 
could have hoisted the French ensign had they cared so to 
do, thus making the fourth flag. 

During the second era also, when the shippmg and boat 
building business was extensive, the city by reason of the 
influx of foreigners became to some extent cosmopolitan. 
In the fourth and present era the situation in this particu- 
lar presents a serious problem on the solution of which the 
city's future rests. 



»(\i SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

SAMIKI, II. SKXTON 

Sannu'l II. Sexton, the artist, is ^till in the m«'iii»)ry o{ 
many residents of S<-henectjuly. I\»r ioity >'ears his 
studio was on State street, a greater part of this time in 
the Furinan ImiMin^'. He was known l)y nearly cvvry- 
\hh\\ in the city l)eeause he had s|><Mit his hfe anionji them. 

Mr. Sexton Ix'^'an as a shoemaker aiul workeil at the 
trade for a eonsiderahle K'li^h of time. He po.s.sessed art 
tah'nt, liow<'\('r, which raised liim fntin the sh<K'maker*.s 
bench to the plane of art. Hi^ .«,tru^'^'K' in this field of 
endeaxor wa'^ more se\crc than a>> a me<hanic on the 



hciich and not more n-nuiiuTat i\«'. yet he con1iinic<| to 
paint |)i(lures, both scenes and |)ortrait<. lie was reco^j;- 
ni/cd as an artist of talent and had not alone lo( al repute 
hut also in New York ami Paris where his work wiis exhi- 
l)ite<l. Mr. Sexton painted many portraits for the leading 
residents of Seheneeta<ly and also for others in different 
phuvs. Vet with his tah-nt of a hi^'h order and earnest 
labor of years he die<l an old man in |H'nury. 

THE TIU E BLUE SOCIETY 

During the third epoch, previously mentioned, when 
business paralysis was everyw here present in Schenectady, 
some of the active citizens undertook to inji'ct life into the 
community by as.sociating themselves together in a 
society which they called the "True Blues." The con- 
ception Wits quite unique and the plan wiis broad enough 
to give the aggregation the character of a burlesque, a 
carnival or a real Madri Gras. 

The society was organized in July, 1866, at the hat store 
of William J. Van Home, on State street. Mr. Van 
Home was the leading sjjirit in the movement and was the 
president of the society to the end of its existence. The 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 263 

niom})(>r.sliip comprised many of the most prominent men 
of tlu- city. The following are the names of some of them. 

Madison Vedder, John C. Ellis, James G. Caw, James J. 
Sfiier, James Wiseman, Ethan A. Maxon, Charles G. 
F^llis, Livingston Ellwood, James Diment, John Gilmour, 
William Newman, William Martin, Cornelius Gill, T. Low 
liarliy<lt, A. P. Strong, John Banker, John A. De Remer, 
Walt.T T. L. Sanders, Edward Ellis, T. W. McCamus, 
Jdhii n. March, E. L. Freeman, B. A. Mynderse, William 
IL Moon- and ^Lljor A. A. ^Larlette. 

The plan, the i)latforni and purpose of the society was to 
a\\ akcn Schenectady by ca^ni^'als and burlesque shows and 
characterizations of certain institutions and incidents. 
The head(|uarters of the True Blues was at Fuller's Hotel 
then stan<ling at the corner of State and Dock streets, also 
JUS an influence toward reform. 

The first carnival was held September 6, 1867. The 
nuiin features of the demonstration were the regalia and 
burles(|ue by banners and the representation of the bury- 
ing of the "silver brick" in Prospect park, this being 
intended a.s a parody on some local frauds. 

'I'his demonstration was followed by others in 1868 and 
1869. The final undertaking was the bazaar of 1870. 
The creations presented as a thrust at the ^'arious schemes 
and frauds then being perpetrated, and also the street 
pageants were worked out with consumate skill. The 
True Blue society became famous throughout the State, 
and each year when these carnivals were held the city was 
unable to care for the throng of people coming from diverse 
sections. The True Blues succeeded in infusing life into 
ScheuecUidv and in adding to its history. 



'2()4 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 
HOME OF THE FRIENDLESS 

The beautiful and Avell appointed Old Ladies' Home, 
or Home for the Friendless, locate*! at l.>0() I'nion street, 
had its inception as far hack as 181.S. The idea or plan 
had its l)irth in the spirit of Christian charity and the 
desire to extend a helping hand to the age<l and homeless. 

The institution grew out of the work done by the Ladies' 
Jicnevolent Society which was organized by the leading 
women of Schenectady with the object of affording aid 
to the worthy but heli)less i)ersons in the city. The society 
was then comi)osed of Mrs. James Duane, Mrs. Stebl)ins, 
Mrs. \. Yates, Mrs. Dr. Fcmda. Mrs. Simon (iroot, Mrs. 
Dr. Mynderse and Mrs. Jolm Constable. Tliese ladies, 
together with those who joined them from year to year, 
carried on the work of relieving the distressed and caring 
also for destitute children. In the year 1817 thirty-five 
sick and indigent women and one hundred and twenty- 
eight children were being cared for and housed by the 
society. There were a first and a second directoress, a 
treasurer and a full board of managers representing every 
ward of the citA'. 

In 1864 the society was reorganized, its scope of work 
broadened and added energ>' and earnestness entered into 
the work. In 18(i8 the society was incorporated having in 
its membership then Mrs. Dr. Nott, Mrs. Jonas H. Crane, 
Mrs. Anna Myers, Mrs. Mark Scherwin, Miss Rebecca 
Duane, Mrs. Dr. A. M. Vedder, Mrs. James Walker, Mrs. 
Mitchell, Mrs. Maria Barhydt, Mrs. Charles Angle, Mrs. 
Theodore Brown, Mrs. Aaron Freeman, Mrs. Elizabeth 
Walters, Mrs. Elizabeth De Wignem, Mrs. John C. EUis, 
Mrs. D. Cady Smith, Mrs. Richard Franchot and Mrs. 
Andrew McMullen. 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 265 

The Home of the Friendless was first located at 35 Green 
street, a very comfortable building fitted up with every 
equii)ment possible with the very limited means at hand. 
With the aid of Dr. A. M. Vedder, Max Schwin, T. W. 
McC'amus, Austin M. Kitchum, David Murray, Charles 
II. Mathews, Sanmel W. Jackson, D. Cady Smith, Dr. 
Andrew Truax. Re\-. Horace G. Day and Louis Smith a 
charter was procured, the corporate name being the Home 
of the Friendless of the City of Schenectady. The first 
trustees were: Rev. J. Trumbull Backus, Charles H. 
Mathews, Alexander McVedder, D. Cady Smith, Dr. 
Andrew Truax, Rev. Horace G. Day and Louis C. Barhydt. 
The institution was wholly under the control and manage- 
im-iil of the Ladies' Society of the Home of the Friendless. 

'Hie work was carried on until the quarters became 
inadcHiuate to accommodate and properly care for the 
number of inmates. In order to provide for this a lot was 
purchased on Union street in 1908 with money left in a 
legacy by Miss Anna McNee. The Old Ladies' Home 
erected on this site in 1908 is one of the pleasantest and 
most attractive institutions of the kind in the state. It is 
oc-cupied to its full capacity. It is in every respect a 
worthy institution. 

YOUNG men's christian ASSOCIATION 

The Young Men's Christian Association was organized 
in 1858 and began its work in a few rooms rented for the 
purpose in the Clute building on State street. Prof^John 
Newman was the first president chosen, George F. Bolhs. 
vHce-president; Charles S. Vedder, correspondmg secre- 
tan- William F. Fox, recording secretary; and James J. 
Mariette, treasurer. The first board of directors was 
composed of the following named citizens of Schenectady: 



266 SCHENRCTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 

Joseph B. (irahuni. David Ilerroii, Jr., David J. Techenor, 
Charles N. Vales, A. Craijj; I'ahiier, Charles Brockinyer, 
Daniel A. AtNvell, Samuel Lyoii. William DeCJrafF, Heiii- 
hrant T. Wilkie aiul Abraham \'an \raiikeii. 

During the Civil War the association lost vitality and 
finally in 186'? th<* a\ ork as an association cejised altogether. 
It lay dormant lioiii this time until 1867 when by the effort 
of some c»i" the active, public spirited citizens a reorganiza- 
tion of the ;ussociation was effected and the work begun 
with new vigor. After the new organization was perfected 
officers were chosen as follows: Nicholas Cain. j)resident; 
C. C. Brown an<l M. A. \'ed<ler, vice-presidents; E. A. 
Charlton, corresponding secretary; (Jeorge (). Seaver, 
recording secretary ; John Brown, treasurer, and L. Hoyt 
librarian. A new board of directors also Wiis chosen as 
follows: Andrew T. \'ee<ier, Jacob Vrooman, Louis Feld- 
mau. Richard Farley, C. \V. Bachus, D. D. C. Teller, John 
.V. Dc Rcmer, Kdward S. Sauter and E. W. Moore. 

The new as.sociation ojjened rooms in Van Home's Hall, 
151 State street. A free reading room was here established 
with books, newspapers and perimlicals. The membership 
incrt^ised slowly and effectixe work was done along tlie 
lines proposed in the by-laws. The new association was 
chartered in 1871, and the following board of directors was 
chosen : J. Trumbull Backus, Piatt Potter, E. H. Wheeler, 
Simon C. Groot, Andrew Truax, Peter Rowe, Abram Doty, 
H. S. Edwards, C. C. Clute, Nicholas T. Schermerhorn, 
Levi A. Voung, H. S. Barney, T. W. McCamus, Nicholas 
Cain. Robert Furman, G. G. Maxon, C. H. Mathews, and 
L. W. Paige. 

In 1878 the association building located at the corner of 
State and Ferry streets was begun, many generous sub- 
scriptions to the building fund having been secured from 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 267 

intorosle<l citizens, yet the association had mucli difficuHy 
in keepinji the organization ahve for the following five 
years. Eventually with the aid of several of the churches, 
a few rooms were fitted up in the new building and 
the work went on. During the past twenty-five years 
the association has expanded rapidly until it occupies the 
entire building with all the modern equipment of a success- 
ful organization. 

ELLIS HOSPITAL 

Kllis Hospital now located on Nott street, had its incep- 
tion October 30, 1885. This was about the time the city 
took on new life and new energ>' in business and building. 
Schenectady then had a population of approximately 
twenty thousand, yet there was not a hospital in the city. 
On the date mentioned a meeting of some of the inter- 
ested citizens was held at the mayor's office to discuss the 
proposition of establishing a dispensary, or an emergency 
hospital, with a few beds to care for and treat accident 
cases. Some progress was made in the project and another 
meeting was held at the mayor's office on November 6, at 
which definite action was taken to organize the institution. 
Plans were presented and discussed at this meeting. They 
were adopted and steps were at once taken to incorporate 
the society. A board of managers was also appointed 
composed of the follo\\-ing citizens: Rev. T. G. Darling, 
Rev J P B. Pendleton, G. N. Caleb, Thomas Yelverton, 
John Yelverton, John L. Swits, S. W. Jackson, Ora 
Brownell, John J. Hart, John H. Munsell, B. L. Conde, 
H S. DeForest and W. E. Griffis. 

\t a meeting of the board held on the 9th of November 
following the Rev. T. G. Darling was chosen president; 



268 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

John L. Swits, secrctan', and Ira Brownell, treasurer. 
The new hospital oj)entHl for patients in a two-story build- 
ing on Tnion street on Christmas, IHSo. The nienil)ers of 
the first hospital staff were: Dr. ('. C. Dnryee, Dr. i\. E. 
M«l)..iial<i, Dr. 11. \-. ll;ill. Dr. II. ('. \ai, Zandt, Dr. W. 
L. Pearson and Dr. (i. .\. Sfiiart. 

The benefits of Ihr instruction were soon <hMnonstrate<l 
and the limited (piarters and facilities early became 
insnflicient jjroperly to meet the demand for treatment. 
About this time, when fuiuls were short and efforts were 
bcin^ {)ut forth to rai.s*' by donations the neees.sar>' sum to 
erect a new biiildin<,', Charles (j. Ellis die<l leaving a 
be(jue.st of $'-2.>,()0() for the erection of a building for an 
institution to be known as the Ellis Hospital. This fund, 
together with some small sub.scriptions previously received 
was used in the erection and efjuipment of the larger 
hospital on .lay street, which is now the "annex" of the 
City Ilall. 

In 1SJ)1 a new hosj)ital eorporation known as the Ho.s- 
pital Association of the City of Schenectady was formed 
and in March ^27. ISO.S. the new Ellis Hospital was formally 
opentHl. Although this wa.s much larger than the former 
(iuarters,it was found within ten years that the Jay street 
building also was too small and unsuitable by reason of its 
location to meet the growing needs. Therefore, in 190.3, 
a spacious plot of ground was purchased at the junction of 
Nott street and Rosa road and work was at once begun. 
In 1906 the new tmd handsome hosi)ital was completed 
imd opened. 

During these years and at the present time the Woman's 
Auxiliary Association has been of inestimable value to the 
upbuilding and the mamtenance of Ellis Hospital. The 
location of the hospital is admirable, the buildings are 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 260 

modem and well equipped; and while the scope and extent 
of the work has ciuadnipled the equipment and inefficiency 
in management has i)hiced ElHs Hosj)ital among the very 
best. It is now a credit to the city. During the month 
of February', 1914, an additional $100,000 was raised by 
subscription in the City to the sum to be used for necessary 
extensions and greater equipment. 

MERCY HOSPITAL 

Mercy Hospitiil was organized in 1907 as the Physicians 
Ilospittd, an association of physicians of the city, who 
realized the needs of a second hospital conducted along 
certiiin lines. It was continued as the Physician's Hospi- 
tix\ until 1913 when it was taken over and conducted for a 
short time by the Sisters of Mercy, who renamed it Mercy 
lIosi)itaI. 

In the early part of the year 1914 the Sisters transferred 
the institution back to the original association, whereupon 
a new organization was effected and a broader plan of 
operation wa.s adopted. The hospital can accommodate 
only thirty patients. Yet it is well equipped and has a 
capable staff of managers and physicians. Mercy Hospi- 
tal is wholly independent and non-sectarian, having a 
board of tlirectors composed of all creeds and faiths in 
religion. 

The present board of managers is as follows: Walter 
(i. Robinson, president; H. S. Liddle, M.D., vice-presi- 
dent; George P. Herron, M.D., treasurer; Robert S. 
LeBeaux, secretar>^ and manager. The superintendent is 
Miss Edith Atkin. The Hospital Association has a 
property on Union street valued at $25,000 with furnish- 
ings and equipment of several thousand value. Durmg 



270 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

the year, 1913, about 1000 patients were treated. The 
institution treats all classes of patients without regard to 
their financial ability to meet the charge. 

REV. J. TRUMBULL BACKUS, D.D. 

Although more than twenty years have now passed 
since the death of the Rev. Jonathan Trumbull Backus his 
memory still lives with many residents of Schenectady, 
and the impress left upon the community in his long, 
active and beneficial life is yet visible and influential. 

Dr. Backus was born in Albany and prepared for college 
at the Albany Academy. He then entered Columbia 
University in the class with Hamilton Fish and others who 
afterwards won distinction in various fields of endeavour. 
Dr. Backus was the valedictorian of his class which was a 
distinctive honor in view of the unusual metal calibre of 
which it was composed. 

After his graduation at Columbia, Dr. Backus entered 
the Princeton Theological Seminary and won honor also 
for his scholarship and ability. As a young man he was 
exceptionally well equipped, both as to preparation and 
natural ability to undertake the life work he was about to 
enter upon. 

He accepted the call to the First Presbyterian Church 
in Schenectady at a time when the affairs of the society 
were not particularly pacific nor was the church particu- 
larly strong either as to membership or finance. The pas- 
torates during the Church's history had been short and full 
of trouble. His coming to the church, therefore, was the 
coming of a messenger of peace and prosperity. It was 
the real beginning of the unity of spirit and the upbuilding 
of the church. 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 271 

Dr. Backus' pastorate began in 1832 when he was but 
twenty-three years of age. It was his first and only 
pastorate. It was the beginning of his "forty years of 
service" and "twenty years of benediction," for he Uved 
twenty years after retiring fron the pastorate, and during 
this latter period the influence that he exerted for the 
moral and Christian uplift of the community was as potent 
as when in active pastoral work. It was said of him at the 
time of his death that "the whole period of the Church's 
prosperity fell within the life of Dr. Backus." Under his 
influence and labor the church grew greatly in numbers as 
well as in good works. 

But Dr. Backus' labors in the uplift of the community 
were not confined to ministerial efforts. He was a leader 
in the educational and civic betterment of Schenectady. 
He with Dr. Nott and Judge Paige were the promoters of 
the Union School System and it was due to their efi^orts 
that it was early brought to a high standard of excellence 
and eflficiency. Dr. Backus served for many year as 
president of the board of education, during which time he 
devoted earnest and intelligent effort for educational 
advancement. He also served as president of the board 
of trustees of Union College. 

During these years too he did much to broaden and 
advance the scope of labor in the Presbyterian denomina- 
tion. His influence here was as potent as in local affairs. 
As evidence of this, he was chosen by proclamation 
Moderator of the Reunion Assembly of the church, a 
signal honor at that time, and one never before conferred. 

Dr. Backus died in 1872 after a long life devoted to good 
w^orks and with the love and honor of all who knew him 
and were made better by his influence. The imprint of 
his beautiful character upon the church and the community 
remains to the present. 



27^2 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 
REV. HORACE G. DAY 

There are few instances where one pastor and the cliurch 
lived together fifty years. Yet the Rev. Horace G. Day 
was the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Schenectady 
for this period of time and his going out caused a greater 
degree of sorrow among tlie cluirch's members juid the 
comnuinity than the pleasure caused by his coming to the 
society. He was another one of the workers in that field 
of endeavor whose life and spirit cast a beneficent influence 
over the whole city. 

Mr. Day became pastor of the church on January 1, 
1847, following the i)astorate of the Rev. William Arthur, 
father of Chester A. Arthur, President of the United States 
from 1881 to 1885. Mr. Day was then a young man who 
had as yet served no church as pastor, but was well pre- 
I)ared and equipped for the <luties and labors connected 
with the calling. 

He was born in Hudson, N. Y., September 13, 1819, and 
obtained his education at the Hudson Academy. In 1846 
he was prepare<i for the ministry and after a supply service 
of a few weeks at Ballston, X. Y., he assumed the pas- 
torate of the Schenectady church. 

Mr. Day was an able leader, an earnest worker, with a 
heart full of goodness and an ambition to lead the way to 
higher standards of Christian life. He was not only a 
power in his church but he became a potential influence 
for good among all citizens. By reason of his earnest 
work, his splendid character and his ready sympathy and 
interest in all whom he met, he was honored and beloved. 
He came to be known as the "grand old man." He 
guided his church through many dark places and the 
struggles incident to the upbuilding of the society and the 
making of the church. He was a strong preacher because 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 273 

his character was strong and although gentle and kindly 
in spirit, he prosecuted his work in a strong manner. By 
this he built up the church and wielded great influence for 
good in the community. When Mr. Day died Oct. 3, 
1904, after a pastorate and residence in the city of fifty 
years, he was regretted and mourned by all. 

MOSES VINEY 

Moses Vincy, who lived for more than sixty years in 
Schenectady, was really a distinguished citizen. In some 
respects Viney was an oracle, and a factor in the affairs of 
the city. He was held in high favor by the people gener- 
ally, and those who knew him intimately knew his heart 
and his worth. He was, therefore, held in affectionate 
regard. 

Viney was born a slave on a plantation in Maryland. 
When he was a small boy his father was sold at auction on 
the block, and as Moses grew toward manhood large value 
was put on him, he being a part of the assets of his master, 
a Mr. Mur})hy. 

But Moses had dreams of some day attaining his freedom 
and as pennies were from time to time given to him he put 
them away in order to have means when the time came for 
his escape from bondage. At the age of twenty-three, or 
in 1840, he, in company with two others stole away on foot 
across the country northward. In great terror all the 
time lest they be recaptured they made their way to 
Philadelphia, where the good Bishop Weyman cared for 
them and sent them on their way to New York. Moses 
finally reached Troy, N. Y., and from there wandered or 
was guided by some unknown influence to Schenectady, 
where he found friends who cared for and protected him, 
and finally twelve years later bought his liberty from his 



274 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

southern owner. To escape being taken as a refugee 
Moses meanwhile had been sent to (^anada where lie spent 
several years. 

Dr. Nott took a deep interest in Moses and made him 
his coachman and valet. He was even closer to Dr. Nott 
than would be implied by tho.se relations. Dr. Nott was 
hi-; friend, while Moses acted as counsellor and companion 
to his employer and bcneiactor. Moses was honest and 
taithfid to the last degree and ap|)reciated the kindness and 
considerations exteiuled to him. He loved Dr. Nott and 
the hitter's aHection for Mo.ses was its deep. 

While Dr. Nott lived Moses .served him as coachman, 
and derixed great pleasure in the duty performed. After 
Dr. Nott's death he served Mrs. Nott in a similar capacity 
and received from her the same kindness and generous 
treatment that had come from the president of I'nion. 
When Dr. Nott died he left to Mo.ses a legacy for his 
maintcnimce. 

Mo.ses A'iney, the dignified colored gentleman, lived 
many years in the city after the death of both Dr. and Mrs. 
Nott. He drove a cab and did it gracefully, always cour- 
teous, kind, punctual and honest. He was highly esteemed 
by the whole community and when he died at nearh' one 
hundred years of age, he was greatly missed by the same 
people. 

"jim" cuff 
As a contemporary of Moses Vine}', "Jim" Cuff was an 
other figure of much local fame and consequence. He was 
similar in some ways to the former, yet was his antithesis 
in most respects. They were of a different blood and were 
widely different in manner and characteri.stics. CuflF was 
an Indian, so claimed, and lived in the glorv' of being "the 



SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 275 

last of the Mohawks." He was tall, straight and angular 
like the Indian, and had a heavy mat of long, straight hair. 
He was one of the conspicuous figures of the city, having 
also free entry to all places. 

Cuff was an "herb doctor" and "practiced" his profes- 
sion for many years. When out on professional work he 
carried a market basket filled with various selections of 
herbs which, according to his Indian training, were the 
panacea for the ills of the human race — the white human 
race. These he sold to customers, his professional advice 
included. Different remedies were compounded bearing 
his name, all of which added to his fame and pride, if not 
to his exchequer. Oftentimes Jim went about hatless 
and with shoeless feet, yet he had the good-will and kindly 
feeling of the jjopulace. He died at nearly one hundred 
years of age and found a resting place in Potter's field in 
Vale Cemetery. 

HOX. JOHN SANDERS 

Hon. John Sanders, an active and influential citizen of 
Schenectady for half a century, was born in Glenville in 
180'-2. He graduated at Union College in the class of 1822, 
and three years later was admitted to the bar. From 1836 
to the time of his death he was one of the leading members 
of the Schenectady County Bar and meanwhile held 
several important official positions. In 1840 Gov. Seward 
appointed him surrogate of Schenectady County in which 
he served until 1844. Mr. Sanders in 1855 was elected 
County Judge rendering faithful and valued service for 
five years. 

Mr. Sanders, in addition to his professional work, edited 
a county history and in 1876 wrote a history of Schenec- 
tadv in which was evidenced good ability and a thorough 



276 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

knowledge of the histon.' of aiulent Schenectady. It 
stands today as one of the vahied Avorks of reference along 
this line. 

SCHENECTADY CHAPTER D. A. R. 

Schenectady Chapter Daughters of the American Revo- 
lution Avas organized October 11, 1911, and the charter was 
granted on Dec. 14, following. Although a young organiza- 
tion it is vigorous and active along the lines of work laid 
out. It has a inenihership of seventy-five. .Mready 
philanthropic and patriotic work is being carried on to a 
considerable extent. Many deserving people have been 
care<l for and aided financially, while prizes are awarded 
school children for proficiency in certain studies, especially 
on patriotic subjects. Also during the i)ast two years 
above twenty graves of the soldiers of the Revolution have 
been located and proper markers have been placed at most 
of them. 

Mrs. Anna Hill Roberts, Mrs. Edgar Gray Colburn, 
Mrs. William Howe Smith, Mrs. S. J. GifTord and Mrs. 
Thomas R. Tillotson were active in the movement for the 
establishment of Schenectady chapter. Mrs. Colburn was 
the first regent. 

The officers for 1914 are as follows: Regent, Mrs. 
Edgar Gray Colburn; first vice-regent, Mrs. Bert Webb; 
second vice-regent, Mrs. William Howe Smith; third 
vice-regent, Mrs. Erastus D. Hill; corresponding secre- 
tary, Mrs. A. J. Gifford; treasurer, Mrs. Fred K. Taylor; 
registrar. Miss Lucy Comstock; historian, Mrs. F. Marcy 
Roberts. 

In 1913 a new chapter of the D. A. R., the Beaukendal, 
was organized and is now in active work. It is composed 
of many of the prominent ladies of the city. 



SCHENECTADY-ANCIENT AND MODERN m 
THE GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY 

The history of Schenectady from 1886 to 1914 is in so 
great contrast to that made during the previous two 
hundrcH and twenty-four years that the artist's brush 
rather than words could best tell the story of the changes 
and the e^•olution. It is not likely that the founders ever 
dreamed that the beginning of the twentieth century 
woul.l s<M. upon their chosen site a city of nearly one hun- 
dreil thousand population. Nor was there even in the 
begmning of this last era one rash enough to draw such a 
horoscoi)e of the city. 

The city at this time was suffering from a long period 
of stagnation and whatever had been done to lift it out of 
the slough ended in failure. It was at this juncture that 
the General Electric Company, or its predecessor, came to 
infuse new blood and life into Schenectady. In 1886 the 
plant and a considerable amount of land formerly occupied 
by the Jones Car Works was purchased and the removal of 
the works from New York to Schenectady began. The 
institution is of so great inportance that a brief history of 
its inception, its gro\nh, changes and mergers will not be 
without interest. The development of this mysterious 
element or power, electricity, has given new impetus to 
the business world, as it has injected life and prosperity 
into Schenectady. 

About 188^2 or 1883 Thomas A. Edison began the manu- 
facture of electrical apparatus in New York City under the 
corporate name of the Edison Machine Works; the output 
consisted of Incandescent Lamps, Generators and Engines. 
Two years later the American Electric Co. with Elihu 
Thomson as its head, established a factory at New Britain, 
Conn., for the manufacture of Arc Lamps, Generators, etc. 
The apparatus was crude and the output of I he factories 



«7H SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

small comparod with presiMit. day production, l)ut it 
markod llit- hrj^Miuiin^ of a Avorld->vid(' hiisiiioss. and a new 
era of niamifacturing in the United Stales. 

Later the Edison Machine Works \vas succeeded hy the 
Edison Electric Light Company which in 1886 estalilished 
a mamifacturiiig plant at Schenectarjy. X. Y. In 18S'-2 the 
Amcii(;iii MIcctric CoMipaiiy A\as ni<)\»'<i to Lynn. Mass., 
and was succeeded hy the 'I'homson-Ilouslon Electric 
(V)mj)any. \\\ l8!)-2 a c()iiso|i<lation of the Edison (Jeneral 
Electric and Thomson-Houston Electric Companies was 
effected, the new com|)any heiiiu^ known as the (Jeneral 
Electric Company. 

The business grew to such an extent that oMices were 
estiibhshed in the {)rincipal cities of this and foreign coun- 
tries. The original plants at Schencxtiuly, Lynn and 
Harrison. X. .L, were retained and enlarged, while other 
plants were added. The principal maimfacturing plants 
now are at Schenc>ctady, X. Y., Lynn, Mass., Pittsfield, 
^hlss.. and LLirrison, X. J. The company also hiLs [)lants 
at Erie, Pa., Fort Wayne, Lid., 'i'oledo, Ohio, Cle\-eland, 
Ohio, Xewark. X. J., and Ea.st Bo.ston, >Liss. 

In 18})'2 when the con.solidation of the great corporations 
took place Schenectady became the headquarters of one 
of the greatest manufacturing industries of the world — 
in fact, of its line, the greatest in the world. From a few 
small buildings at the beginning in 188fl the plant has 
expandtni into more than a hundred buildings, .some of 
them the largest and best equip^jed of any industrial 
e.stablishment in the United States. Also from a few 
hundred men employed in 1886 the number has increa.sed 
yearly until in 1914 eighteen thousand are employed in 
the \arious departments of the plant, with a weekly pay- 
roll exceeding three hundred thousand dollars. 



SCHENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN ^79 

Electrified and vitalized by this power and the ever 
expandinj^ institution in control Schenectady has grown 
from an almost silent way station to an energetic and pro- 
gressive city. Thus for the second time in its history 
Schenectady is one of the important towns of the country. 
In the first period it was the city of ship commerce; now, 
it is the Electric City. 

Xor is this the only benefacti(m the city has received 
through this corporation. As a company and as indi- 
\ i(lu;ils, those at its head have helped in the building of 
libraries, schools, hospitals, churches and other institu- 
tidiis for the uplift and betterment of Schenectady. 

THE WESTINGHOUSE COMPANY 

The Westinghouse Company, manufacturer of agricul- 
tural imi)lements, was one of the two main industries of 
Schencctiidy uj) to 1886. It has been an important factor 
in the business life of the city since 1856. The industry 
was established a considerable number of years prior to 
that date when George Westinghouse, Sr., began the 
manufacture of threshing machines in a moderate way. 
He first established himself in Florida, Montgomery Co. 
A little later he moved his plant to Central Bridge and 
there carried on the business until 1856. Schenectady 
offered more favorable conditions and more available 
space for the growing business, so the plant was moved. 

Mr. Westinghouse was born in Vermont in 1809. His 
early life was spent on a farm where he learned by experi- 
ence the value of improved farm implements and it was as 
a result of this that he invented the threshing machine 
which he manufactured. He was a successful busmess 
man throughout his career and after locating m Schenec- 
tady the industry increased in great measure until it 



"iSO SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

hccaiiif «»nt' <»f tli<- rcco^Miizctl aj^ricultunil imi)lement 
factorifs of the coiiiitry. His thrcshiiiii niucliino was 
improMMl lidiii \t'af to xcar and the l)iisiiu'ss likewise 
iiicnMSfd as tlic acroa^'o «>r jiraiii raisiii^ ijuTciused. They 
iirst iiia<i«' lior^r Ireadiuill tlireshers. hiter the lever horse 
power and in tlu- sixties of the hist century they progressed 
to tlie making' of an enpne to furnisli tlie power. These 
were <lrawn from point to |)oint by liorse and tliis condition 
attain suggested a further ini|)ro\einenL This was the 
making of an engine that could he propelle<l hy its own 
sWiWw and at the same time haul the threshing machine 
along the highway. 

'I'he latest machines ol" the cum[)any are of great 
capacity and liaxf c(|uipmeiit for cleaning, measuring 
grain, etc. (u-orge Westinghouse. Sr.. remained in active 
control of the i)lant until 1S84. when his sons, who had 
hecome interested, a.ssume<i the conduct of the business. 
The product of the company now goes to nearly every 
quarter of the globe. 

SCHENECT.VDV PUBLIC LIBR.\UY 

The Schenectady Pul>lic Librar\- was incorporateil by 
the Stxite in 189,), and was first opened for public use in 
September of that year. It was located in the Fuller 
building on Stiite street near the canal, where the present 
Wtnlgeway building stands. With the exception of one 
year it continued there until the new public library' build- 
ing was completed in 1903. 

The public library, a very imposing structure, admirably 
situated on Union street and erected at a cost of $50,000, 
was the gift of Andrew Carnegie. The site upon which it 
stands was purchased from Union College for $1'2,000. 
This was made possible by a gift of $15,000 from the 
General Electric Company. The building was formally 



\ II W (II I NUiN t (il.I.KGl 




1.()<)KIN(; KASrWARI) 



SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 281 

turned over to the library trustees on Oct. 6, 1903, and 
service began at once in the new institution. 

The Hbrarj^ began in a small way in 1895 and has 
steadily grown and expanded in all departments, contain- 
ing at the beginning of 1914 approximately 35,000 volumes 
with a circulation in 1913 of about 175,000. Its success 
is due to the liberal views and constant and unselfish 
devotion of those citizens who have served as its busi- 
ness directors. Such as the late Albert J. Pitkin, who 
left by will $5,000 to the institution, and George T. Han- 
ford from whose estate a like sum was paid. Judge Alonzo 
P. Stong and Mr. Albert L. Rohrer have been trustees 
from the beginning. 

There is a t id-bit of interesting history in the almost 
forgotten fact that Thomas Moore, the Irish poet, once 
visited the Mohawk Valley, and during this time wrote the 
famous poem which began with the lines: 
"From morn to set of sun 
I've seen the mighty mighty Mohawk run." 
This poem was begun while Moore was a guest at the 
Van Alstine home a little distance west of Schenectady, 
and was completed at Cohoes. A Mr. Cox, of Canajoharie 
who met the poet while on this trip and not being aware of 
his identity, afterwards said that he had met a very bright 
young Irishman. 

Many citizens of Schenectady recall Isaac Yates, a 
native of the city, a man of estimable qualities. He was 
an officer in the United States Navy in which he served 
many years. The war vessel to which he was attached 
was sunk while in China. 

Hinsdell Parsons, a prominent lawyer and also actively 
identified with other interests in Schenectady, was killed m 
1913 while touringinhisownautomobile. He wasfor many 
years chief attorney for the General Electric Company 
and president of the Schenectady Illuminating Company. 



'^S-2 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 
FREDERICK F. F:iSENMEN(iER 

111 IIr- all'airs of the city and in the esteem of the com- 
munity there have been few avIio stooii hii,'}icr than did 
Frederick F. Eisenmenfrer. 

Mr. Eisenmen<^er had an unusual career. He \vas horn 
in 1841) and when the Civil War came on lie. as a boy of a 
httk' over thirteen years of aj^e, wislied to become a soldier. 
He ran away from home, was taken on an euf^ine to New 
York where he was taken before a colonel in command of 
one (tl the re«::iments. The colonel was so much pleased 
with >()un<2; Eisenmen;.fer's ambition and courage that he 
took him alonji as an onierly. Ei.senmenger made a 
brilliant record and became a leader and influential factor 
in the army. 

After the close of tlu' war he returned home and became 
a foreman in the Schenectady Ix)comoti\e Works. Finally, 
on account of his strength of character and popularity, he 
was elected police justice and continued to serve in that 
capacity for twenty successive years. In 1904 he was 
elected mayor and served two years. At the close of this 
service he was elected superintendent of the poor, in all of 
which offices he discharged the duties with honor and 
efficiency. Mr. Eisenmenger was a Democrat in politics 
yet his supporters came from all parties. For twenty-four 
years he suffered no defeat when a candidate for office. 
He died in 191 "2. 

YOUNG women's CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION 

The Young Women's Christian Association was organ- 
ized in 1886. It has struggled against much adversity and 
many handicaps of various kinds. All through these 
years the association has been directed by those having a 



SCIIENECTADY—ANCIENT AND MODERN 283 

steadfast purpose and plan which they have striven to 
develop into an agency for the uplift and betterment of 
the young ladies of the city. The association now owns 
its building at No. 14 State street, and has a membership 
of above 800. Miss Helen W. Hyndman is the president 
and Miss Eleanor J. Allen the secretary. 

A PERISCOPE 

When the chary Dutchmen builded the Schenectady of 
nearly three hundred years ago with its rigid simplicity of 
style and uniformity of pers[)ective, it was complete; it 
was their ideal. Their style of architecture, it was true, 
lacked something of the grace and symmetry of that of 
the present, yet it was substantial and durable. A few 
specimens of it exist today and make a creditable appear- 
ance beside the twentieth century vogue. 

The era of improvement and beautification came later. 
It began early in the nineteenth century and for many 
years up to 1805 a great work was accomplished. This all 
bears the stamp of the spirit, the skill and taste of Dr. Nott. 
He was the prime leader in the great work of laying out 
streets and beautifying them with shade trees and other 
touches of art that added grace and attraction. The 
I'nion College garden furnished the trees and shrubbery 
that now grace many streets and pleasant spots in the city 
Dr Nott was an untiring worker for the improvement and 
embellishment of the city. When he died nearly every 
section of the citv at that time bore the mark of his many 
years of earnest labor for Schenectady's uplift and better- 
ment. . 1 • •„ 

The twentieth century has brought an awakening in 
this great municipal advancement, and much had been 
done to add to and extend the limits in city improvements. 



281 SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 

Since 1000 the city has increased in population one hun- 
dred and twenty-nine per cent. 

The first contract for a sewer in Schenectady, so record 
says, was let in 188G. In 1914 there are above one hundred 
and thirteen miles of sewers in the citj', and nearly sixty- 
five miles of paved streets, bein^ about one-half of all the 
streets of the city. Five hundrtxl thousand dollars have 
been expended in pavinj,' streets since 1900. 

Since 1900 also the develoi)ment in all directions has 
been marvelous. In 190.') Bellevue and Mount Pleasunt, 
by le<?islative enactment, were annexed to the city, thus 
adding .several thou.sand poi)ulation. 

In 190.S there was begun the ele\ation of the railroad 
tracks in the city and the building of the new and modern 
New York Central stiition. They were completed in 1905. 

The long di.stanee trolley lines to Troy, Saratoga, 
Albany, Johnstown, Fonda and Glo\ersville have been 
constructed within this time, constituting four of the 
important great trolley lines of the State. 

The first handsome and modern new high school building 
on Nott Terrace was completed in 1908. Although a 
roomy structure, within two years it was inadequate to 
care for the rapidly growing city's pupils and three years 
later an adjunct, a still larger building, was erected. 

Schenectady in 1907 became a city of the second class. 

The County Clerk's office and Court building, co.sting 
above half a million dollars, was completed the first of the 
year, 1913. The same year the new Federal building on 
Jay street was comjjleted and occupied. Also in 1913 the 
city purchased above two hundred acres of land which will 
compri.se several parks and pleasure gromids. Meanwhile 
the growiii of the General Electric Company and that of 
the city have kept at even pace. The barge canal along 



J > 
5. 



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SCHENECTADY— ANCIENT AND MODERN 285 

the northern border of the city is well nigh in a completed 
stage. 

Schenectady's proximity to the great northern New 
York resort country and its geographical position puts it 
in close touch with the famous resorts in the Lake George 
and I.ake Champlain region. It affords an easy and 
plejisant trip by trolley and steam roads to this charming 
.section. 

The year 1914 has to record the most disastrous flood 
in the history of the Mohawk Valley. The water in the 
Mohawk river on the 28th day of March rose twenty -three 
and five-tenths feet, meanwhile being clogged and checked 
by great ice gorges. The river rose so high that the water 
ran over the Scotia steel bridge at Washington avenue, 
moving one of the great .stone piers and otherwise damag- 
ing the .structure. The section of the city in the vicinity 
of the bridge and the streets running from Front to the 
river were inundate, houses were flooded and families 
driven from their homes. Many were rescued by men with 
boats. The water extended to Church street and Wash- 
ington avenue and south to State street. Two bridges 
over the river a short distance east of the city, namely, 
the Freeman and the Rexford bridge were swept away 
and at the former bridge two men, John Ellis and John 
Becker, lost their lives in a heroic effort to save the bridge 
and other property. 

This last disaster, however, is of small consequence in 
comparison with the many and greater ones in Schenec- 
tady's earlier life. The fighting strength and courage of 
those days are now spent mostly in other lines. The 
baptism of blood of the early times has become a baptism 
of commercialism. 






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